U.S. House of Representatives
Committee on the Judiciary
F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr., Chairman
_______________________________________
News Advisory
For immediate release
Contact: Jeff Lungren/Terry Shawn
March 17, 2004
202-225-2492
Immigration Oversight Hearing Thursday on “US VISIT” Entry-Exit Screening Program
What: Oversight hearing on the United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology (US VISIT) Entry-Exit Screening Program
Who: Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security & Claims - Rep. John Hostettler (R-Ind.), Chairman
When: 10:00 a.m., Thursday, March 18, 2004
Where: 2141 Rayburn Building
US Visit is a Congressionally mandated entry-exit system implemented by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that collects biometric data and utilizes other data at U.S. ports of entry to screen visitors for criminals and terrorists trying to enter the U.S. The US Visit program may be the only opportunity to check any suspected ties to terrorism or criminal past of an individual entering the U.S.
Examples of US Visit Checks Resulting in Arrests...
US Visit has - just since January 2004 - helped apprehend, among others: a citizen of El Salvador convicted of a DUI hit and run death; a Peruvian national convicted for trafficking cocaine; a Chinese national wanted for probation violations following his convictions for wire fraud, conspiracy, food stamp trafficking, and use of false Social Security numbers; a Russian citizen previously arrested and charged in an assault case; and a Honduran national who is a convicted drug trafficker that had used eight different aliases and three dates of birth.
This Hearing Will...
Examine how US VISIT will improve both the security measures at the border points of entry and accelerate the flow of travelers through those points of entry.
Review the new technology’s ability to effectively and efficiently screen visitors, apprehend criminals and deter terrorists.
Probe the recent announcement that 7 million Mexican nationals entering the U.S. with Border Crossing Cards will be waived into the U.S. without going through US VISIT.
Witnesses: Ms. Robert M. Jacksta, Executive Director of Border Security and Facilitation, DHS; Mr. Robert Mocny, Deputy, US VISIT program, DHS; Mr. Alfonso Martinez-Fonts, Jr., Special Asst. to the Secretary for the Private Sector at DHS; and Mr. Randolph Hite, Director of Information Technology, Architecture & Systems Issues, GAO
.