Congressman Patrick McHenry (R-NC-10) introduced today the Comprehensive Immigration Data and Technology Accountability Act of 2005. The legislation reforms the immigration process by creating a federal computerized database that more effectively and efficiently tracks immigrants applying for visas or U.S. citizenship. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) currently uses paper printouts to process over 7 million immigrant cases per year.

“We need to get tough on illegal immigration by using technology – not paper printouts,” said Congressman McHenry. “This bill modernizes the process at a time when immigration reform is vital to the security and safety of our communities. It also helps government agencies effectively screen out illegal immigrants seeking benefits and services they aren’t eligible to receive. Most importantly, the Comprehensive Immigration D.A.T.A. Act gives law enforcement officials the tools they need to curb the illegal immigration problem.”

The Comprehensive Immigration D.A.T.A. Act takes a three-pronged approach to reforming the immigration process. First, the bill creates a database that allows real time access to immigration case files and moves it to a fully electronic system. Second, the database will be linked to federal law enforcement agencies, reducing the number of illegal immigrants released in our communities. Third, the legislation sets deadlines for the planning, implementation, and review of the new database.

Congressman McHenry’s legislation is already gaining support from groups concerned with the need for swift and effective immigration reform.

“The Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) applauds Congressman McHenry’s new initiative to bring about a long overdue consolidation and upgrade in alien databases operated by the Department of Homeland Security,” said Paul Egan, director of government relations for FAIR. “The current system is a patchwork of paper-based, outmoded, and uncoordinated data. Linking these systems and allowing for law enforcement access is critical to the enforcement of immigration laws and expediting services to legal immigrants.”