The Senate
is getting closer to sending President Bush legislation (S1749)
to tighten the nation's borders against terrorists, AP reports.
On April
15 Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV), who wanted more debate on the bill,
said "We're going to pass it." The bill reportedly
has 61 co-sponsors, more than enough for approval.
The legislation
would add 1,000 new INS inspectors, investigative personnel
and support staff to America's borders. Companies would be required
to disclose passenger and crew information on all flights and
vessels before they enter the United States. In addition, foreigners
from countries on America's terrorist watch list would be banned
from entering the United States.
The bill
also would require machine-readable, tamper-resistant travel
documents for foreigners wanting to enter the country. It would
require universities to keep better track of foreign students,
including checking and informing the government when and where
prospective students arrive and when they are expected to graduate
or when they leave school.
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