Speech #1090052664

Even fugitives that use false identification can be identified on the roadside through use of the NCIC when. as is often the case. a police officer has access to an instant fingerprint scanner in his car. Separate from the NCIC. ICE operates the Law Enforcement Support Center. which makes immigration information available to State and local police. but requires a second additional check after NCIC that most State and local police either dont know about or dont have the time to perform. The ability of the NCIC to convey immigration information to State and local police is not being fully utilized. To date. the Immigration Violators File of the NCIC contains just over 150.000 entries and only 39.000 of those are alien absconders. This file should be greatly and rapidly expanded. At the very least. the NCIC should contain information on all illegal aliens who have received final orders of departure. all illegal aliens who have signed voluntary departure agreements. and all aliens who have had their visas revoked. In truth. the NCIC should contain information on all violations of immigration law. If State and local police are not accessing the immigration information we have worked hard to make available. we must find a way to get the information to them. through systems they are used to using. Our bill will get information to them through the system they are already usingthe NCIC. Our bill will ensure that when an NCIC roadside check is done on an individual pulled over for speeding. police will know immediately if the individual has already been ordered to leave the country. has signed a legal document promising to leave. has overstayed their visa. or has had their visa revoked. Understanding the value of getting immigration information to State and local police comes from understanding that they are the ones who will come into contact with the dangerous illegal aliens on a daytoday basis. Three 9/11 hijackers were stopped by State and local police in the weeks proceeding 9/11. Hijacker Mohammad Atta. believed to have piloted American Airlines Flight 77 into the World Trade Centers north tower. was stopped twice by police in Florida.