Authorizing Coast Guard Mobile Biometric Identification Program

AUTHORIZING COAST GUARD MOBILE BIOMETRIC IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM -- (House of Representatives - July 29, 2008)

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Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this measure, and yield myself such time as I may consume.

H.R. 2490 is an important milestone in protecting our Nation's maritime security. This bill authorizes a program that has been conducted by the Coast Guard since November of 2006. The Biometric Identification at Sea Pilot Project has allowed the Coast Guard to collect biometrics from individuals interdicted in the Caribbean to run them against terrorists and criminal data bases.

Under this program, the Coast Guard has collected biometric information from over 1,100 individuals, using state-of-the-art handheld scanners. As a result, over 250 individuals with criminal records have been identified, and 72 have been brought ashore for prosecution under U.S. laws.

This program breaks the cycle of migrants with criminal histories being returned to their country of origin without prosecution. It also has proven itself to be an effective partnership between the Coast Guard and Federal law enforcement.

I would note that these provisions also are carried on H.R. 2830, the FY 2009 U.S. Coast Guard Authorization, a measure that was approved by the House in April of 2008.

I am pleased that this is being considered today as one of the key provisions that we have included in our DHS authorization package. I urge passage of this important legislation, which will significantly improve the security of our Nation's maritime environment.

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