U.S. Reps. Michael McCaul (R-TX) and John Katko (R-NY) proposed a bipartisan bill that would establish the Biometric Identification Transnational Migration Alert Program (BITMAP) within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Rep. McCaul sponsored the BITMAP Authorization Act, H.R. 2045, with cosponsors including Rep. Katko and U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) to prevent criminals and potential terrorists from entering the United States through biometric identification.
“As the Biden administration continues to roll back policies that have weakened our southern border, it is important now more than ever that law enforcement officials have the tools to stop bad actors from entering the U.S.,” Rep. McCaul said. “Individuals, like traffickers and transnational gang members, may lie about their identity and attempt to slip into our country undetected, but you can’t fake your biometrics. Through BITMAP we can work with our international partners to identify those bad actors and stop them.”
Rep. Katko noted that last week, the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security confirmed that individuals on the terrorist watch list attempted to enter the U.S. illegally through the southern border.
“To keep America safe, we must work with our international partners to identify bad actors before they reach our borders,” said Rep. Katko, ranking member of the U.S. House Homeland Security Committee, noting that the BITMAP program “has proven to be a valuable information-sharing resource, and this bill makes necessary improvements to better protect the homeland.”
According to Rep. McCaul’s staff, BITMAP in 2018 received approval from the U.S. House of Representatives and since its inception has enrolled more than 460 known or suspected terrorists.
“A strong nation requires every tool to combat ever-evolving security threats,” added Rep. Cuellar. “BITMAP plays a critical role in increasing our ability to share intelligence with local law enforcement and to create strategies with our international partners to identify and break up transnational criminal organizations.”
H.R. 2045 has been referred to the House Homeland Security Committee for consideration.