politics
Florida Rep. Byron Donalds Introduces Bill for Biometric Immigration Tracking
Florida Republican Rep. Byron Donalds has introduced legislation requiring biometric tracking of all U.S. entries and exits to address visa overstays. The bill mandates full implementation and oversight of the system by DHS. It follows a decline in illegal border crossings during President Donald Trump's second term.
Apr 21, 9:30 AM·1m read1 source
The White House from Washington, DC / Wikimedia (Public domain)Audio version
Tap play to generate a narrated version.
Developing·Limited corroboration so far. This page will refresh as more sources emerge.
Florida Republican Rep. Byron Donalds introduced legislation on Monday to require biometric tracking of every entry and exit from the United States. The bill, named the Reform Immigration Through Biometrics Act, aims to ensure full nationwide use and federal oversight of the biometric entry-exit system.
Donalds stated that the legislation provides the oversight needed to verify every entry and exit fully.
It was first introduced a decade ago, following a 2004 recommendation from the 9/11 Commission to strengthen national security through comprehensive tracking. Previous administrations did not fully implement the system across all ports of entry, leaving it incomplete. A final rule issued in December 2025 mandates a nationwide rollout.
The bill would close gaps to ensure coverage at every port and require DHS to report to Congress on system updates and any delays. Donalds stated in a press release that visa overstays and fraudulent documentation remain part of the illegal immigration issue that needs addressing.
Data from the Border Patrol, cited by Pew Research, showed 237,538 migrant encounters at the Mexican border in 2025, the lowest number since 1970 when 201,780 were encountered during Richard Nixon's presidency.
reform is a focus of the second Trump administration, with attention on internal tracking and enforcement gaps beyond border crossings. Donalds, a candidate for Florida governor to succeed term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis, anticipates swift passage of the bill. Fox News Digital reached out to DHS for comment.
