Senator proposes biometric screenings
26 June, 2009
category: Biometrics, Government
United States Senator and Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, Charles Schumer, has proposed that fingerprint records be used to verify immigration status of U.S. workers, according to a Next Gov article.
Schumer is optimistic that should his bill pass the program could be up and running by the end of the year. Before the bill can make it to the floor in Congress, however, the logistics will be discussed in a summit meeting and again in a hearing the senator plans to hold in July.
Despite Schumer’s optimism in regards to how quickly a system such as the one he is proposing could be enacted, other white house officials and senators have expressed worries about his timetable citing other biometric-based programs such as US-VISIT which have taken years to be implemented.
As Federal officials have reported that they have gained more control over U.S. borders in recent times, but still fall short of full operational control, Schumer and the supporters of his proposal believe that a program such as his could greatly assist the problem with illegal aliens in the U.S.
Read the full story here.