H.R. 3534 · 108th Congress
BE REAL Act of 2003
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Never voted on. It didn't reach a floor vote before the 108th Congress ended, so it expired. A bill has to be introduced again to be considered in a new Congress.
5 cosponsors · 5 R
4 signed on when it was introduced; the rest joined later. Cosponsors who withdrew aren't shown.
Border Enforcement and Revolving Employment to Assist Laborers Act of 2003 or the BE REAL Act of 2003 - Amends the Posse Comitatus Act to authorize the use of the U.S. military for border enforcement.
What it does: CRS summary · Introduced in House · Nov 19, 2003
Border Enforcement and Revolving Employment to Assist Laborers Act of 2003 or the BE REAL Act of 2003 - Amends the Posse Comitatus Act to authorize the use of the U.S. military for border enforcement.
Suspends the visa waiver program until such time as the Secretary of Homeland Security certifies full implementation of an automated entry-exit system and the use of biometric machine readers and passports.
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to establish criminal penalties for unlawful presence. Enhances civil and criminal penalties for document fraud and false statements of citizenship.
Amends Federal law concerning passports to require fingerprinting and background checks of applicants for U.S. passports.
Establishes a visa term compliance bond.
Requires the development and use of more secure Social Security cards and birth certificates.
Amends the INA to permit employers who seek work eligibility verification for new hires within three days after the date of hire to claim an affirmative defense to employer sanctions. Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to create an electronic employment verification system. Exempts from liability those who rely on the verification system in good faith.
Establishes a new guest worker program that replaces the current H nonimmigrant visa category with a single H visa covering all aliens coming to the United States temporarily to perform skilled or unskilled work, where U.S. workers are not available. Requires that the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency make specified certifications to Congress as a prerequisite to implementation of the program.
Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. All summary versions on Congress.gov
About this bill and sources
Official title: BE REAL Act of 2003
Also known as: Border Enforcement and Revolving Employment to Assist Laborers Act of 2003
Latest action (Jun 22, 2004): Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H4754-4758)
Policy area: Immigration · Origin: House · Introduced: Nov 19, 2003
Official page on Congress.gov · Bill text (GovInfo) · Status record (XML)
No recorded floor vote found.