Biometric Identification Transnational Migration Alert Program Authorization Act of 2018
This bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to provide statutory authority for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Biometric Identification Transnational Migration Alert Program (BITMAP). That program was established to address and reduce national security, border security, and terrorist threats before such threats reach the international border of the United States.
In carrying out BITMAP operations, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement must: (1) coordinate foreign and U.S. officials to facilitate the sharing of biometric and biographic information of foreign nationals to identify and screen such nationals for terrorism and threats to national or border security; (2) provide capabilities, including training and equipment, to collect and compare biometric and biographic identification data of foreign nationals to protect against national security, border security, or terrorist threats and illegal entries; and (3) ensure that such data are incorporated into appropriate government databases.
Before carrying out BITMAP operations in a foreign country, DHS must enter into an agreement with the government of such country that outlines such operations and must provide the congressional homeland security committees with a copy of the agreement.
| Action Date | Type | Text | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-12-05 | Calendars | Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 724. | Senate |
| 2018-12-05 | Committee | Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson with amendments. With written report No. 115-419. | Senate |
| 2018-09-26 | Committee | Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably. | Senate |
| 2018-09-05 | IntroReferral | Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. | Senate |
| 2018-09-04 | Floor | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. | House floor actions |
| 2018-09-04 | Vote | On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 272 - 119 (Roll no. 381). (text: CR H7786-7787) | House floor actions |
| 2018-09-04 | Floor | Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR S7806) | House floor actions |
| 2018-09-04 | Floor | At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed. | House floor actions |
| 2018-09-04 | Floor | DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6439. | House floor actions |
| 2018-09-04 | Floor | Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR S7786-7789) | House floor actions |
| 2018-09-04 | Floor | Mr. McCaul moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. | House floor actions |
| 2018-08-28 | Calendars | Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 705. | House floor actions |
| 2018-08-28 | Committee | Reported by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 115-909. | House floor actions |
| 2018-07-24 | Committee | Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent. | House committee actions |
| 2018-07-24 | Committee | Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held. | House committee actions |
| 2018-07-19 | IntroReferral | Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security. | House floor actions |
| 2018-07-19 | IntroReferral | Introduced in House | Library of Congress |