Schumer proposes biometric screening of U.S. workers

A key Senate Democrat proposed Wednesday that fingerprint records be used to verify the immigration status of workers, one of the provisions he wants included in legislation that would overhaul the nation's immigration laws.

Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee Chairman Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., also expressed optimism that such a bill could be taken up this year, even though some of his proposals will likely face immense challenges.

"All of the fundamental building blocks are in place to pass comprehensive immigration reform this session and, even possibly, later this year," Schumer told an immigration policy conference. "If I did not believe we could accomplish immigration reform this year, I would never have chosen to accept the immigration subcommittee post."

Schumer said he will discuss his priorities at the summit meeting the White House is hosting today to review the prospects for passing such comprehensive legislation.

But some of the goals he laid out have proved difficult to achieve in the past, perhaps foreshadowing the complications lawmakers will face by trying to move a massive bill through a crowded legislative calendar.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs also conceded earlier this week the effort is unlikely to bear fruit this year, despite the wishes of Latino activist groups. He said "the math" in Congress makes it "real difficult" to take a vote before next year.

Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., who plans to attend the White House meeting, said he believes that if reform legislation is not passed by Congress this year, it will be years until it can be considered again.

Schumer said he plans to introduce legislation that would create a system under which biometrics, such as fingerprints, are used to verify the identity and legal status of all workers.

Such a technology-driven project could be a boon to federal information technology contractors, but other programs involving biometrics, such as the US-VISIT system to track foreigners entering and leaving the United States, have taken years to develop.

Schumer said he plans to hold a hearing in July on proposals for developing "a simple and workable" biometric-based employment verification system.

He said his bill also will call for the federal government to gain operational control of U.S. borders within one year of enactment. Federal officials recently testified before Schumer's subcommittee that the government has more control than ever over border areas, but achieving full operational control has evaded the government for decades.

Under his bill, all illegal immigrants in the United States must also "quickly register their presence" with the government and "submit to a rigorous process of converting to legal status and earning a path to citizenship" or face "imminent deportation," Schumer said. He did not provide details for any of his proposals.

"People who enter the United States without our permission are illegal aliens, and illegal aliens should not be treated the same as people who entered the United States legally," he said.

Schumer said he will hold another hearing in July "to determine how best to structure our employment-based immigration system for the future."