I 
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 1464
To enhance the security and efficiency of the immigration, refugee and 
asylum, and naturalization functions of the United States Government. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 27, 2003
Mr. BACA (for himself, Mr. GRIJALVA, Mr. PASTOR, Mr. TOWNS, Mr. 
SERRANO, Mr. REYES, Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA´, Ms. NORTON, Mr. RYAN of 
Ohio, Mr. UDALL of Colorado, Mr. CROWLEY, and Mrs. JONES of Ohio) 
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the 
Judiciary 
A BILL 
To enhance the security and efficiency of the immigration, 
refugee and asylum, and naturalization functions of the 
United States Government.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Immigration Security 
and Efficiency Enhancement Act of 2003’’. 
SEC. 2. PURPOSE. 
It is the purpose of this Act to enhance the security 
procedures and efficiency of the immigration, refugee and
asylum, and naturalization services of the United States 
Government by mandating the implementation of an elec-
tronic application process utilizing certified filing entities 
and e-file applications. 
SEC. 3. IMPLEMENTATION OF SECURITY AND EFFICIENCY 
ENHANCEMENTS. 
(a) PLAN.—Not later than 90 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Se-
curity shall submit to the Congress a plan for the imple-
mentation of security and efficiency enhancements de-
scribed in subsection (b). The plan shall include a time-
table for implementation with appropriate information 
concerning the importance and impact of technology, 
funding, and other factors on the timetable. 
(b) SECURITY AND EFFICIENCY ENHANCEMENTS.—
Immigration security and efficiency enhancements are as 
follows: 
(1) Establishment of a central computer data-
base and network for processing immigration appli-
cations and forms. 
(2) Identification of applications and forms ap-
propriate for electronic submission. 
(3) Implementation of a pilot project for elec-
tive electronic submission of designated immigration 
applications and forms.
(4) Implementation of elective electronic sub-
mission of designated immigration applications and 
forms. 
(5) Within 4 to 5 years after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, electronic submission of des-
ignated immigration applications and forms which 
comprise not less than 25 percent of the total by vol-
ume. 
(6) Within 6 years after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, electronic submission of designated 
immigration applications and forms comprising not 
less than 50 percent of the total by volume. 
(7) Within 8 years after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, electronic submission of designated 
immigration applications and forms comprising not 
less than 75 percent of the total by volume. 
(8) Wherever feasible, electronic submission of 
designated immigration applications and forms. 
(c) LIMITATIONS.—Notwithstanding any other provi-
sion of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall 
implement an electronic application process only with re-
spect to immigration, refugee and asylum, and naturaliza-
tion services of the United States Government that the 
Secretary of Homeland Security determines to be appro-
priate. The Secretary of Homeland Security may not im-
plement an electronic application process with respect to 
applications by aliens who have been convicted of a felony 
or aliens who are residing in the United States illegally. 
(d) ANNUAL REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of the submission of the plan under subsection 
(a) and annually thereafter, the Secretary of Homeland 
Security shall submit to the Congress an annual report 
which outlines the progress in implementing the plan, to-
gether with any modifications in the projections of the 
plan. 
SEC. 4. ESTABLISHMENT OF ELECTRONIC FILE MANAGE-
MENT SYSTEM. 
The Secretary of Homeland Security shall establish 
within the immigration, refugee and asylum, and natu-
ralization functions under the jurisdiction of the Depart-
ment of Homeland Security a computer network composed 
of a state-of-the-art electronic file management system 
and computer information system to efficiently receive and 
process files submitted electronically, detect incorrectly 
filled applications and forms, and securely share informa-
tion within the network.
SEC. 5. ESTABLISHMENT OF IMMIGRATION, REFUGEE AND 
ASYLUM, AND NATURALIZATION FILING SYS-
TEM THROUGH CERTIFIED SERVICE PRO-
VIDERS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Homeland Secu-
rity shall establish within the immigration, refugee and 
asylum, and naturalization functions under the jurisdic-
tion of the Department of Homeland Security a system 
which provides for the electronic filing and submission of 
applications only from organizations and entities certified 
by the department to perform immigration and naturaliza-
tion services on behalf of applicants. 
(b) CERTIFICATION OF SERVICE PROVIDERS.—The 
Secretary of Homeland Security develop criteria and pro-
cedures for the certification of organizations and entities 
as service providers. In the certification of service pro-
viders the Secretary of Homeland Security shall consider 
the promotion of competition and do everything possible 
to prevent monopolies. 
(c) CRITERIA FOR CERTIFICATION OF SERVICE PRO-
VIDERS.—The Secretary of Homeland Security shall pro-
mulgate regulations which provide for the criteria for cer-
tification of service providers which shall include the fol-
lowing:
(1) Submission security—the ability to verify 
that a secure link is established for transmitting ap-
plicant information. 
(2) Quality control by the private entity/organi-
zation—the ability to determine that the service pro-
viders are competent and qualified to provide reliable 
information to applicants on immigration, refugee 
and asylum, and naturalization requirements and 
procedures necessary to successfully complete appli-
cations. 
(3) User identification verification—the ability 
to determine that the service provider conducts an 
adequate initial identity verification. 
(4) The logistical capabilities to participate in 
the system. 
SEC. 6. GRANTS FOR TECHNOLOGY ENHANCEMENT OF 
SERVICE PROVIDERS. 
The Secretary of Homeland Security is authorized to 
establish a program of grants to nonprofit service pro-
viders under section 5 to assist such entities in obtaining 
electronic technologies compatible with those utilized by 
the immigration, refugee and asylum, and naturalization 
functions under the jurisdiction of the Department of 
Homeland Security.