Speech #1100157508

My amendment would replace section 708 of the bill which incorporates language from a standalone bill I have introduced with tougher language that would codify and expand a Coast Guard pilot program to collect biometric information on aliens interdicted at sea. My amendment requires the Coast Guard to move forward on this program within 1 year. and provide a cost analysis to Congress on expanding these capabilities in other Coast Guard and Department of Homeland Security vessels and units. As part of this analysis. my amendment would encourage DHS to give priority to expanding mobile biometric collection capabilities to assets and areas that are most likely to encounter illegal border crossings in the maritime environment. Ol 1230 The efforts of the Coast Guard in this area show great promise. Since the collection of limited biometrics on individuals interdicted at sea began. the Coast Guard has collected biometric data from 1.513 migrants resulting in nearly 300 matches against databases of wanted criminals. immigration violators. and others who have previously encountered government authorities. Instead of being released to repeat their dangerous and illegal behavior. these individuals are now detained and prosecuted. The U.S. Attorneys Office in San Juan. Puerto Rico. has prosecuted more than 118 individuals for violations of U.S. laws. immigration laws. and other offenses based substantially on information obtained through the biometrics program. The Coast Guard reports that illegal migration in the Mona Pass area. an area between the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. has been reduced by 50 percent in the past year as a direct result of the biometrics program. By leveraging its relationships within DHS. the Coast Guard now has access to millions of fingerprint files it can use to positively identify individuals encountered at sea. those who are without identification and are suspected of attempting an illegality and illegally entering the United States.