NEW YORK — John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City has started using new face recognition technology.

The biometric readers match a person’s face to their passport.

Customs agents unveiled the biometric technology on Tuesday.

Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Gil Kerlikowske tells WCBS-TV that the technology was implemented to help reduce human error. He says the images will be deleted unless it is determined additional enforcement action is needed.

Initially, the readers will be used to screen passengers arriving from countries where visas are waived and to randomly check on returning U.S. citizens.