Bill · H.R. 8253· House(119-HR-8253)
BITMAP Authorization Act
- Introduced
- 4/13/2026
- Last activity
- 4/14/2026 — Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement.
- Sponsored by
- Michael McCaul
- Cosponsors
- - 2 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill proposes an amendment to the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to create the Biometric Identification Transnational Migration Alert Program, known as BITMAP. The program aims to address and reduce national security, border security, and terrorist threats before they reach the international border of the United States. To achieve this, the Secretary of Homeland Security will work with partner countries to facilitate the voluntary sharing of biometric and biographic information. The program includes providing training, guidance, and equipment to these partner countries for identifying high-risk individuals. It also involves comparing foreign data against various United States national security and immigration databases. The program is scheduled to terminate six years after its enactment.
Yes· 3 of 4
Does this tighten control of the border?+7
The bill establishes the BITMAP program to identify and interdict high-risk individuals before they reach the international border.
Does this strengthen ties with allied countries?+5
The bill fosters cooperation with partner countries through the sharing of training, equipment, and data capabilities.
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?+3
The bill includes a provision to expunge the biometric and biographic data of U.S. citizens captured during operations.
The opposite
Would immigrants be better off under this?-4
The program increases the collection and sharing of biometric and biographic information from foreign nationals.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Enhanced National Security and Border Security: The establishment of BITMAP is intended to address and reduce terrorist threats, national security threats, and border security threats before they reach the U.S. border (Section 2(a)).
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Identification of High-Risk Individuals: By providing partner countries with training and equipment, the program seeks to identify, prevent, detect, and interdict high-risk individuals who may attempt to enter the United States through illicit pathways (Section 2(b)(2)).
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Protection of Citizen Data: The bill includes a provision to ensure that any biometric or biographic identification data of United States citizens captured by BITMAP operations is expunged from all databases, unless the data is being kept for specific law enforcement or intelligence purposes (Section 2(f)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Data Collection of Foreign Nationals: The program involves the collection of biometric and biographic information from foreign nationals to screen them for potential threats (Section 2(b)(1)).
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Potential for Data Use in Immigration and Asylum: The Secretary is required to brief Congress on individuals enrolled in BITMAP who have submitted asylum claims (Section 2(b)(c)(2)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Border Security+7
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves International Alliances+5Improves Cybersecurity Defense+1
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Immigrants-4
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Privacy Rights+3
- 4/15/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 4/14/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement.
- 4/13/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Henry CuellarDemocrat · Texas
Maria SalazarRepublican · Florida
Joe WilsonRepublican · South Carolina