House unanimously passes border security bill

The House on Wednesday passed, by a 411-0 margin, a bill to strengthen U.S. visa and border security initiatives.

The bill, H.R. 3525, now heads to President Bush for his signature.

The measure would require tracking of foreign students accepted by educational institutions. It also would require tamper-resistant and machine-readable visas using standardized biometric identifiers by October 2004. By that time, border agencies would have to install scanners and implement an integrated entry/exit data system.

Other provisions would provide for an electronic data system giving officials immediate access to law enforcement and intelligence databases, and require U.S. embassies and consulates to utilize "terrorist lookout" committees to identify the names of known terrorists.

The bill would authorize 200 more border inspectors and 200 investigative personnel for each year from fiscal 2003 through fiscal 2006, and $150 million to improve border technology.

The GOP-controlled House had been holding up the bill because the Democratic-controlled Senate wanted a provision allowing the Justice Department to ignore federal bidding requirements on the computer system federal agents would use to screen visa applicants.

However, House Government Reform Committee Chairman Dan Burton, R-Ind., objected to the exemption, the Associated Press reported. Early Tuesday morning, the Senate authorized the House to take out the language, paving the way for House action.