> CBP is pretty specific about documentation required to enter the country.
My last flight to Seattle from Mexico a few weeks ago (also, note that I'm an LPR, and not a citizen) I walked up to the CBP immigration counter, looked at a webcam, the officer looked at his computer, said "[my name]?" "Yes." "You're good to go."
I had, of course, my passport and green card on me, but they were held by my side the entire time. He didn't ask for them.
They have linked your face to the photo in your passport/green card. By looking into the camera you agreed for them to perform the lookup of your ID. It is probably more secure than looking at a physical ID that could be fake.
green card holder here, this exact thing happened to me last time i flew into US from EU. i even asked the CBP guy, "you don't need to see my passport or green card"? "nope" was the response as he waved me through.
My last flight to Seattle from Mexico a few weeks ago (also, note that I'm an LPR, and not a citizen) I walked up to the CBP immigration counter, looked at a webcam, the officer looked at his computer, said "[my name]?" "Yes." "You're good to go."
I had, of course, my passport and green card on me, but they were held by my side the entire time. He didn't ask for them.