Is there even an option at the airport to refuse face scanning? I assume that signs you up for a one way trip to a cavity search.
TSA does it, Customs does it when entering the USA after a trip too.
So far I’ve been fine politely declining. Haven’t been back to the US in a while though.
There is a small sign in front of the facial scanner that says "Photo verification not required."
You can always say "I decline the photo verification", and they will check your license like back in the old days. This is what I have been doing for years now.