WASHINGTON – Immigration & Naturalization Service (INS) Commissioner James W. Ziglar announces plans to procure, in a full and open competition, the services and supplies to develop, deploy, and sustain an Entry-Exit program. The INS plans to award one or more open market delivery contracts by late spring.

“I have made the Entry-Exit program a high priority for this agency as we create a system that will not only protect our citizens and secure our borders but also improve cross-border commerce and trade,” said Commissioner Ziglar.

The Entry-Exit Program Team will be responsible for implementing an integrated Entry-Exit program, including an automated system, which would use available data to record alien arrivals and departures. By implementing an Entry-Exit program, the INS will be able to record overstay information and take steps to ensure that visitors to the United States comply with immigration laws. In addition to strengthening our borders, the Entry-Exit program will facilitate legitimate cross-border traffic and trade to ensure the continued economic viability of the United States.

The INS Data Management Improvement Act of 2000 amends Section 110 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA) to require the development of an integrated entry and exit data system. Realizing the unique challenges posed at the different land, air, and seaports of entry, Congress set staggered deadlines for the Entry-Exit System to be operational at all air and seaports by December 31, 2003; at the 50 largest land ports of entry by December 31, 2004; and at remaining land ports of entry by December 31, 2005.

President Bush has requested $362 million in the FY 2003 budget for initial funding of the system. The first phase of the project will begin later this year, starting with collecting and matching the arrival and departure data of aliens from the Visa Waiver countries.

– INS –

(05/01/2002)

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