§1732 Machine-readable, Tamper-resistant Entry and Exit Documents

Summary

Within 180 days after May 14, 2002, the Attorney General, the Secretary of State, and NIST must send a report to Congress explaining what needs to be done so that, by October 26, 2004, the government can (1) start using machine-readable, tamper-resistant visas and other travel documents that use biometric identifiers for non-U.S. citizens, and (2) roll out the equipment and software needed to compare and check those biometric documents. The report must also estimate the costs, staff, work hours, and other support the Department of Justice, the Department of State, and NIST will need. By October 26, 2004, the Attorney General and the Secretary of State must issue only machine-readable, tamper-resistant visas and travel documents for non-U.S. citizens that include biometric identifiers and must set joint standards for those documents and identifiers based on domestic and international standards. By October 26, 2005, the Attorney General, with the Secretary of State, must install equipment and software at all ports of entry (places where people enter the United States) to compare and authenticate those visas, other travel documents for non-U.S. citizens, and the passports referenced in subsection (c)(1). The biometric readers and scanners used must be judged highly accurate by standards organizations, be able to read the agreed biometric identifiers, and authenticate the document. The systems must follow the technology standard in section 1379. Money needed to do this may be appropriated, including payments to standards organizations.