AI and racial bias at US bordersCEFR A2
25 Apr 2026
Adapted from UntoldMag, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by Mathias Reding, Unsplash
Artificial intelligence is now used in US border enforcement and immigration control. In 2023 rights groups and university law clinics sent a report to the United Nations saying some AI systems reproduce racial discrimination.
Surveillance towers and small drones track people before they reach the border. The CBP One app had trouble recognising darker skin and lacked important language translations. The groups ask for notice, opt-out choices and clear rules. They say AI should not be used at borders until systems are free of discrimination and include diverse voices in design and operation.
Difficult words
- enforcement — Actions to make people follow laws or rules
- Surveillance — Watching places or people to observe activity
- reproduce — Make or show something again in the same way
- discrimination — Unfair treatment of people because of difference
- recognise — See or identify a person or thing correctlyrecognising
- opt-out — Choice to not take part in a service
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Do you think AI should be used at borders now? Why or why not?
- How would better language translations help people using the CBP One app?
- Have you ever used an app that did not work well for your language? What happened?
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