PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H4754-4758)
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Nov 19, 2003
Border Enforcement and Revolving Employment to Assist Laborers Act of 2003 or the BE REAL Act of 2003 - Amends the Posse Comitatus Act to authorize the use of the U.S. military for border enforcement.
Suspends the visa waiver program until such time as the Secretary of Homeland Security certifies full implementation of an automated entry-exit system and the use of biometric machine readers and passports.
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to establish criminal penalties for unlawful presence. Enhances civil and criminal penalties for document fraud and false statements of citizenship.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
Amends Federal law concerning passports to require fingerprinting and background checks of applicants for U.S. passports.
Establishes a visa term compliance bond.
Requires the development and use of more secure Social Security cards and birth certificates.
Amends the INA to permit employers who seek work eligibility verification for new hires within three days after the date of hire to claim an affirmative defense to employer sanctions. Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to create an electronic employment verification system. Exempts from liability those who rely on the verification system in good faith.
Establishes a new guest worker program that replaces the current H nonimmigrant visa category with a single H visa covering all aliens coming to the United States temporarily to perform skilled or unskilled work, where U.S. workers are not available. Requires that the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency make specified certifications to Congress as a prerequisite to implementation of the program.
People & committees
Rep. Tancredo, Thomas G. [R-CO-6] · R–CO
Legislative record
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Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H4754-4758)
Referred to the Subcommittee on 21st Century Competitiveness.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Employer-Employee Relations.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Civil Service and Agency Organization.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Social Security.
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Government Reform, Education and the Workforce, and International Relations, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Government Reform, Education and the Workforce, and International Relations, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Government Reform, Education and the Workforce, and International Relations, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Government Reform, Education and the Workforce, and International Relations, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Government Reform, Education and the Workforce, and International Relations, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Government Reform, Education and the Workforce, and International Relations, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.
Source last updated: Mar 23, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze H.R.3534 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
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