BE REAL Act of 2003

Summary

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.

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Timeline

1. 19 November 2003

   Introduced

   Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Government Reform, Education and the Workforce, and International Relations, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

   Source: IntroReferral

2. 19 November 2003

   Introduced

   Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Government Reform, Education and the Workforce, and International Relations, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

   Source: IntroReferral

3. 19 November 2003

   Introduced

   Introduced in House

   Source: IntroReferral

4. 19 November 2003

   Introduced

   Introduced in House

   Source: IntroReferral

5. 1 December 2003

   Referred

   Referred to the Subcommittee on Social Security.

   Source: Committee

6. 5 December 2003

   Referred

   Referred to the Subcommittee on Civil Service and Agency Organization.

   Source: Committee

7. 10 December 2003

   Referred

   Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims.

   Source: Committee

8. 11 March 2004

   Referred

   Referred to the Subcommittee on Employer-Employee Relations.

   Source: Committee

9. 22 June 2004

   Introduced

   Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H4754-4758)

   Source: IntroReferral

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

• Introduced in House · 19 November 2003 · Official file

Documents

3 official files

• Introduced in House (text)

  Introduced in House · EN · 19 November 2003

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in House (PDF)

  Introduced in House · EN · 19 November 2003

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in House

  summary · EN · 19 November 2003

  Open at official source

Sponsors

• Rep. Tancredo, Thomas G. [R-CO-6] · R · Sponsor
• Rep. Deal, Nathan [R-GA-9] · R · Sponsor
• JOHN DUNCAN · R · Sponsor
• Rep. Hefley, Joel [R-CO-5] · R · Sponsor
• Rep. Herger, Wally [R-CA-2] · R · Sponsor
• Rep. Collins, Mac [R-GA-8] · R · Cosponsor
• · hsed00 · Standing
• · hsju00 · Standing
• · hsgo00 · Standing
• · hswm00 · Standing
• · hsfa00 · Standing

Related records

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