To provide for the establishment and implementation of a fingerprint processing system to be used whenever a visa is issued to an alien.

October 3, 2001

Ms. SNOWE (for herself and Mrs. FEINSTEIN) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

To provide for the establishment and implementation of a fingerprint processing system to be used whenever a visa is issued to an alien.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. FINGERPRINT PROCESSING SYSTEM.

Not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State and the Commissioner of Immigration and Naturalization shall jointly establish and implement a fingerprint processing system to be used whenever a visa is issued to an alien. Under the system, each fingerprint shall be entered into an electronic database that shall be accessed by the Immigration and Naturalization Service upon the alien's entry into the United States. The Immigration and Naturalization Service shall certify that the fingerprint of the individual seeking admission to the United States is a match to the fingerprint in the database. If the fingerprint does not match, the alien shall not be admitted to the United States.

SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

(a) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for the establishment of the fingerprint processing system.

(b) VISA FEE COLLECTIONS- The Secretary of State shall increase the fees charged for the issuance of visas. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, each amount by which a visa fee exceeds the fee in effect immediately prior to the date of enactment of this Act shall be deposited as offsetting receipts into a separate account in the Treasury of the United States, to remain available until expended to the Secretary of State and the Commissioner of Immigration and Naturalization to reimburse any appropriation out of which payments are made to cover the costs of the use of the fingerprint processing system.