SNYDER ANNOUNCES HOUSE PASSAGE OF BORDER SECURITY BILL WASHINGTON, D.C. - United States Representative Vic Snyder
(AR-02) today announced the House passage of H.R. 3525, the Enhanced Border
Security and Visa Entry Reform Act of 2001.
"Swift and dramatic changes to block the holes in our immigration system are
vital to ensure our homeland security," Congressman Snyder said. "The need for
change was never more evident than when the INS sent student visas to a couple
of the suicide terrorists months after they had committed their abominable crimes
against America."
H.R. 3525 includes provisions that would increase funding for the Immigration
and Naturalization Service (INS), Border Patrol, consular personnel, training,
facilities, and security-related technology; increase interagency information
sharing by developing and implementing an interoperable law enforcement and
intelligence data system for visa, admissibility, or deportation determination
purposes; set new electronic visa issuance standards that include the development
and implementation of an integrated entry and exit data system and tamper-resistant,
machine-readable documents containing biometric identifiers; improve the process
of inspecting aliens prior to admission into the U.S.; and develop an electronic
means of verifying and monitoring the foreign student and exchange visitor
information program.
The border security act passed both chambers of Congress without one vote
against it. The legislation now goes to the President to be signed into law.
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