H.R. 4412House109th Congress (2005-2007)In Committee

Comprehensive Immigration Data And Technology Accountability Act of 2005

Legislative Activity

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4 earlier actions

HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H1294)

March 29, 2006

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

November 18, 2005

HouseIntro Referral

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H10230)

November 18, 2005

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

November 18, 2005

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims.

Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee

February 6, 2006

HouseIntro Referral

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H1294)

March 29, 2006

Floor Debate

1 member

What members said about H.R. 4412 on the floor

1 Republican

Rep. Patrick T. McHenryR-NC-10 · Mar 29, 2006

Mr. Speaker, it is often said that America is a nation of immigrants, but there is also another important point, not to be ignored. America is a nation of laws. We are increasing border security, and security is very important in this day and age, in this tough world that we live in. We are increasing border security by constructing fences, bolstering our border patrols and escalating our surveillance capabilities.

It is of first and most importance to our Nation that we step up and halt this mass influx of foreign trespassers known as illegal immigrants. To grant amnesty to these trespassers is to say: You crossed our border illegally, you broke our laws, and now we are rewarding you with U.S. citizenship. Congratulations.

That is absolutely the wrong way to go. A guest worker program is nothing more than amnesty wearing make-up. It is easier to look at, but it is still ugly underneath.

For legal immigrants, we must replace our outdated bureaucratic procedures with updated technology. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services currently processes 7 million immigration applications in our country every year. They do it using Windows 95 and paper printouts. This system is obviously and absolutely flawed. We need to fix the process for immigrants to come here legally.

That is why I introduced the Comprehensive Immigration DATA Act, H.R. 4412, to modernize the immigration application process by creating a Federal, computerized database that more efficiently and effectively tracks immigrants applying for visas or for U.S. citizenship.

It is time that we step up in terms of our governmental policy, to make sure our government bureaucrats here in Washington are being responsive to our Nation's needs and to be accountable. The best way we can do that is by giving them the technology to do their jobs, and that is what I am trying to achieve with this bill. It is good in terms of policy for legal immigrants. It is the right thing to protect our borders, and it is good for our national security.

Mr. Speaker, it is progress that we need to make as a country.

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Introduced in HouseIssued November 18, 2005

109th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 4412

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

November 18, 2005

Mr. McHenry (for himself, Mr. Jindal, Mr. Issa, Mr. Doolittle, Mr. Kline, Mr. Westmoreland, Mr. Brady of Texas, Mr. Wamp, Mr. Bartlett of Maryland, Mr. Rohrabacher, Mr. McCaul of Texas, Mr. Feeney, Mr. Shadegg, Mrs. Myrick, Mr. Gingrey, and Mr. Gutknecht) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

A BILL

To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to consolidate existing U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services databases into a comprehensive database that allows real-time access to data, in order to improve customer service and enhance national security and public safety, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Comprehensive Immigration Data And Technology Accountability Act of 2005.

Consolidation of citizenship and immigration services databases

(a)

In general

The Secretary of Homeland Security shall consolidate existing U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services databases into a comprehensive database that allows all authorized users real-time access to data, in order to improve customer service and enhance national security and public safety.

(b)

Databases included

The databases to be included in such consolidation are as follows:

(1)

The Computer Linked Application Information Management Systems (CLAIMS), versions 3 and 4.

(2)

The National Tracking File Systems (NTFS).

(3)

The Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE).

(4)

Interagency Border Inspection System (IBIS).

(5)

Treasury Enforcement Communications System II/NIIS (TECSII/NIIS).

(6)

Any other system the Secretary determines to be appropriate.

(c)

Interoperability

The comprehensive database described in subsection (a) shall facilitate real-time data exchange with all other databases of the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of State, Federal law enforcement agencies (as defined in section 2 of the Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act of 2002 (8 U.S.C. 1701), and the intelligence community (as so defined) relevant to all aspects of alien screening, including databases used for visa issuance and those used for determinations of admissibility and deportability.

(d)

Biometric and linguistic capabilities

The comprehensive database described in subsection (a) shall incorporate full biometric and linguistic capabilities to prevent fraud and to verify the identity and immigration status of aliens in the absence of documentation.

(e)

Design and maintenance responsibilities

The Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary for Management, shall be responsible for the design and maintenance of the comprehensive database described in subsection (a). Such database shall be annually evaluated by the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman.

(f)

Deadlines

(1)

Platform identification

By not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall identify a commercially or publicly available system platform suitable for the comprehensive database described in subsection (a).

(2)

Data transfer

By not later than 12 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary—

(A)

shall merge the data from the databases described in paragraphs (1) through (4) of subsection (b) into the comprehensive database described in subsection (a); and

(B)

shall ensure that all new information is entered into the comprehensive database in lieu of the databases described in paragraphs (1) through (4) of subsection (b).

(3)

Replacement

By not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall ensure that the databases described in paragraphs (1) through (4) of subsection (b) are completely phased out and the comprehensive database described in subsection (a) is fully operational.