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Managing America: War on Terror

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Week Ending August 1, 2008

H.R.2490 To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct a pilot program for the mobile biometric identification in the maritime environment of aliens unlawfully attempting to enter the United States.

The Secretary of Homeland Security is directed to conduct within a year a pilot program to provide mobile biometric identification technology to test individuals attempting to enter the US illegally from sea. The technology would be deployed on various US Coast Guard and other federal agency vessels. Biometric means fingerprint and digital photographs.

The bill looks to expand on similar efforts in the Caribbean that, according to the bill, has collected biometric information on 1,100 migrants resulting in 257 with criminal records and 72 being brought ashore for prosecution.

Although the bill claims its purpose is to enhance national security, the CBO reports that it would cost taxpayers little or nothing because the pilot program was already carried out and techniques are currently being adopted.

Sponsor:  Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL-9^th)

Vote: Passed House July 30, 2008 393 to 3 with 1 voting 'Present'  RC 534

Cost to the taxpayers: “CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 2940 would have no effect on the federal budget because the agency has already carried out pilot projects using biometric identification and is adopting the technique for its homeland security activities.”

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