McCaul Reintroduces Legislation to Stop Bad Actors From Entering the U.S.

WASHINGTON - Today, Congressmen Michael McCaul (R-Texas) and Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. (D-Texas) reintroduced the Biometric Identification Transnational Migration Alert Program (BITMAP) Authorization Act, which would authorize a successful Department of Homeland Security (DHS) program that partners with other countries to help identify and stop dangerous criminals and potential terrorists from reaching our borders.

"Bad actors like traffickers, terrorists, and transnational gang members may lie about their identity in an attempt to enter our country undetected, but they can't fake biometrics," said Congressman McCaul. "The successful BITMAP program empowers our regional partners to identify and stop these individuals long before they reach our borders. I'm proud to reintroduce this bill on a bipartisan basis with Congressman Cuellar. The more we push our borders out, the safer our homeland will be."

"Strong border security depends on international coordination and having the resources to stop threats before they reach our communities. The BITMAP Authorization Act will help us identify dangerous individuals earlier, expand collaboration with regional partners, and strengthen congressional oversight through firm reporting requirements on partner agreements and program outcomes," said Congressman Cuellar. "As Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Appropriations, I thank my friend and colleague Congressman McCaul for his collaboration on this bipartisan effort to ensure law enforcement has what it needs to protect the American people and stay ahead of future security threats."

Background:

The Biometric Identification Transnational Migration Alert Program (BITMAP) authorizes the U.S. government to provide foreign partners with the technical equipment and specialized training necessary to collect biometric and biographic data from individuals using illegal travel pathways, ensuring high-threat individuals are identified before they reach U.S. ports of entry. The BITMAP Authorization Act would codify the program within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and strengthen congressional oversight. American citizens can opt out of providing biometrics for the entry-exit system.

Click here to read full text of the bill.

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