Consistent with the report of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, Congress finds that completing a biometric entry and exit data system as expeditiously as possible is an essential investment in efforts to protect the United States by preventing the entry of terrorists.
In this section, the term "entry and exit data system" means the entry and exit system required by applicable sections of-
The Secretary of Homeland Security shall develop a plan to accelerate the full implementation of an automated biometric entry and exit data system.
Not later than 180 days after December 17, 2004, the Secretary shall submit a report to Congress on the plan developed under paragraph (1), which shall contain-
The entry and exit data system shall include a requirement for the collection of biometric exit data for all categories of individuals who are required to provide biometric entry data, regardless of the port of entry where such categories of individuals entered the United States.
Not later than 2 years after December 17, 2004, the Secretary shall fully integrate all databases and data systems that process or contain information on aliens, which are maintained by-
The fully integrated data system under paragraph (1) shall be an interoperable component of the entry and exit data system.
Not later than 2 years after December 17, 2004, the Secretary shall fully implement an interoperable electronic data system, as required by section 202 of the Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act 2 ( 8 U.S.C. 1722 ) to provide current and immediate access to information in the databases of Federal law enforcement agencies and the intelligence community that is relevant to determine-
The Secretary of Homeland Security shall establish rules, guidelines, policies, and operating and auditing procedures for collecting, removing, and updating data maintained in, and adding information to, the entry and exit data system that ensure the accuracy and integrity of the data.
The Secretary shall develop training on the rules, guidelines, policies, and procedures established under subparagraph (A), and on immigration law and procedure. All personnel authorized to access information maintained in the databases and data system shall receive such training.
The Secretary of Homeland Security, the Secretary of State, and the Attorney General, after consultation with directors of the relevant intelligence agencies, shall standardize the information and data collected from foreign nationals, and the procedures utilized to collect such data, to ensure that the information is consistent and valuable to officials accessing that data across multiple agencies.
Heads of agencies that have databases or data systems linked to the entry and exit data system shall establish rules, guidelines, policies, and operating and auditing procedures for collecting, removing, and updating data maintained in, and adding information to, such databases or data systems that ensure the accuracy and integrity of the data and for limiting access to the information in the databases or data systems to authorized personnel.
The rules, guidelines, policies, and procedures established under this subsection shall-
The President, or agency director designated by the President, shall establish a clearinghouse bureau in the Department of Homeland Security, to centralize and streamline the process through which members of the public can seek corrections to erroneous or inaccurate information contained in agency databases, which is related to immigration status, or which otherwise impedes lawful admission to the United States.
The process described in subparagraph (A) shall include specific time schedules for reviewing data correction requests, rendering decisions on such requests, and implementing appropriate corrective action in a timely manner.
The biometric entry and exit data system shall facilitate efficient immigration benefits processing by-
The Department of Homeland Security shall operate the biometric entry and exit system so that it-
In implementing the provisions of subsections (g) and (h), the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State shall-
Not later than 1 year after December 17, 2004, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, and the head of any other department or agency subject to the requirements of this section, shall issue individual status reports and a joint status report detailing the compliance of the department or agency with each requirement under this section.
Consistent with the report of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, Congress makes the following findings:
In this subsection, the term "registered traveler program" means any program designed to expedite the travel of previously screened and known travelers across the borders of the United States.
The Secretary of Homeland Security shall establish an international registered traveler program that incorporates available technologies, such as biometrics and e-passports, and security threat assessments to expedite the screening and processing of international travelers, including United States Citizens and residents, who enter and exit the United States. The program shall be coordinated with the United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology program, other pre-screening initiatives, and the Visa Waiver Program.
The Secretary may impose a fee for the program established under subparagraph (A) and may modify such fee from time to time. The fee may not exceed the aggregate costs associated with the program and shall be credited to the Department of Homeland Security for purposes of carrying out the program. Amounts so credited shall remain available until expended.
Within 365 days after December 26, 2007, the Secretary shall initiate a rulemaking to establish the program, criteria for participation, and the fee for the program.
Not later than 2 years after December 26, 2007, the Secretary shall establish a phased-implementation of a biometric-based international registered traveler program in conjunction with the United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology entry and exit system, other pre-screening initiatives, and the Visa Waiver Program at United States airports with the highest volume of international travelers.
The Secretary shall ensure that the international registered traveler program includes as many participants as practicable by-
Not later than 1 year after December 17, 2004, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report describing the Department's progress on the development and implementation of the registered traveler program.
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary, for each of the fiscal years 2005 through 2009, such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.
1 So in original. Probably should be "( Public Law 106-215)".
2 So in original. Probably should be followed by "of 2002".
8 U.S.C. § 1365b
EDITORIAL NOTES
REFERENCES IN TEXTThe Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, referred to in subsec. (b)(1), is div. C of Pub. L. 104-208, 110 Stat. 3009-546. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 1996 Amendment note set out under section 1101 of this title and Tables.The Immigration and Naturalization Service Data Management Improvement Act of 2000, referred to in subsec. (b)(2), is Pub. L. 106-215, 114 Stat. 337, which amended section 1365a of this title and enacted provisions set out as notes under sections 1101 and 1365a of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 2000 Amendment note set out under section 1101 of this title and Tables.The Visa Waiver Permanent Program Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(3), is Pub. L. 106-396, 114 Stat. 1637. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 2000 Amendment note set out under section 1101 of this title and Tables.The Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act of 2002, referred to in subsec. (b)(4), is Pub. L. 107-173, 116 Stat. 543, which is classified principally to chapter 15 (§1701 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1701 of this title and Tables.The Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT ACT) Act of 2001, referred to in subsec. (b)(5), was Pub. L. 107-56, 115 Stat. 272. Pub. L. 107-56 was renamed the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 or the USA PATRIOT Act by Pub. L. 109-177, title I, §101(b), Mar. 9, 2006, 120 Stat. 194. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 2001 Amendment note set out under section 1 of Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure, and Tables.December 26, 2007, referred to in subsec. (k)(3)(C), (D), was in the original "the date of enactment of this paragraph" and was translated a meaning the date of enactment of Pub. L. 110-161 which amended subsec. (k)(3) of this section generally, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.
CODIFICATIONSection was enacted as part of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, and also as part of the 9/11 Commission Implementation Act of 2004, and not as part of the Immigration and Nationality Act which comprises this chapter.
AMENDMENTS2007-Subsec. (k)(3). Pub. L. 110-161 amended heading and text of par. (3) generally. Prior to amendment, text related to development and implementation of a registered traveler program.
- Attorney General
- The term "Attorney General" means the Attorney General of the United States.
- Service
- The term "Service" means the Immigration and Naturalization Service of the Department of Justice.
- State
- The term "State" includes the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands of the United States, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
- alien
- The term "alien" means any person not a citizen or national of the United States.
- national
- The term "national" means a person owing permanent allegiance to a state.
- naturalization
- The term "naturalization" means the conferring of nationality of a state upon a person after birth, by any means whatsoever.
- permanent
- The term "permanent" means a relationship of continuing or lasting nature, as distinguished from temporary, but a relationship may be permanent even though it is one that may be dissolved eventually at the instance either of the United States or of the individual, in accordance with law.
- admission
- The terms "admission" and "admitted" mean, with respect to an alien, the lawful entry of the alien into the United States after inspection and authorization by an immigration officer.