(Washington, D.C.) Saying the terrorist attacks on our nation have made it abundantly
clear that the United States must strengthen border security and keep better track of foreign visitors in our country, Delaware Congressman Michael N. Castle today introduced the “Visa Integrity and Security Act.”  The goal of Castle’s VISA Act is to strengthen coordination between intelligence, immigration and law enforcement agencies at home and around the globe and to help schools and businesses keep better track of student and guest worker visas.

“The terrorists who launched the attacks on our nation clearly exploited loopholes in and
inadequate enforcement of our current immigration laws to inflict terror on our country.  In fact several were in the United States on expired visas. We must strengthen our border security in order to stop known terrorists before they enter our country.  At the same time, we must make better use of schools and businesses to prevent  foreigners from overstaying their visas.”

The "Visa Integrity and Security Act" proposes the following:

CONTROL OF VISA HOLDERS –– Develops an automated system to track visa holders to determine their legal status in real-time. Requires the use of biometric technology within a tamper-proof visa to provide highest degree of positive identification possible to federal and local law enforcement officials. 

IMPROVE VISA SCREENING - Mandates and authorizes increased funding for the sharing of law enforcement and intelligence information -- including State Department, CIA, INS, FBI and National Crime Information Center (NCIC) databases -- to perform thorough background checks on all visa applicants. 

STUDENT VISAS - Boosts oversight of all foreign student visa holders within the United States.  Requires schools to report to the INS within 30 days of the start of the school term if the older of a student visa by that school does not begin coursework. 

If it is determined that the student entered the country but has not enrolled at a school, the visa holder shall be presumed an over stayer and reported to the FBI for inclusion in the NCIC database.

VISA WAIVER PROGRAM - Tightens eligibility standards for nations from which visas are not required for entry to the United States.

 The "Visa Integrity and Security Act of 2001" is the right step in protecting our borders and maintaining a record of those who legally study and work in the United States,” Castle added.  “The United States is and should remain the most open nation in the world and a welcome place for immigrants for those who enter our country legally and abide by the laws of the United States of America.  However, we must also do more to protect our nation from outside threats.”

Castle would like to incorporate his VISA Act into a larger anti-terrorism package which may be debated by the House of Representatives as soon as tomorrow.