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Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., is leading the charge in closing immigration gaps. On Monday, he introduced the Reform Immigration Through Biometrics Act.
According to a Tuesday press release, this would require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to report to Congress on the implementation of U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) implementation of a biometric entry-exit system for immigrants who are issued temporary visas to ensure that they do not take advantage of the system and remain in the United States longer than legally allowed. “This requirement aims to identify hurdles causing delays, close security gaps, track visa overstays more accurately, and ensure full border security,” the statement read.
He described the necessity for the bill to pass in a post to X, stating, “The American people entrusted Republicans with a clear mandate to secure our borders and resolve the immigration crisis — and we are committed to delivering on that promise.”
Donalds praised President Donald Trump for his work to secure the southern border, then went on, “But the work is far from over.” He added, “Visa overstays and fraudulent documentation remain a large piece of the overall illegal immigration puzzle that needs to be addressed.”
Biden’s radical policies made visa overstays a crisis.
— Congressman Byron Donalds (@RepDonaldsPress) April 22, 2026
We have biometric entry—now we need EXIT.
My "Reform Immigration Through Biometrics Act" ensures we finally close this gap and further deliver on President Trump’s agenda. pic.twitter.com/ORVp06d75D
During an interview with Florida’s Voice and posted to X, he further explained the details of the legislation, noting that the 9/11 Commission reported that the U.S. needs a biometric entry and exit system to properly identify visa-approved temporary immigrants. He explained that the entry system has been put in place, but the exit system is still missing.
A biometric system would match fingerprints and iris scans, and track visas to verify the identity of temporary legal immigrants. He further detailed that if 1,000 work visas are issued, there is no telling how many of the approved immigrants will go home on time. “It’s about making sure you keep track of when those visa holders go home,” he stated.
Donalds affirmed that this is why he supports a quota-based immigration system rather than chain migration: CBP can more accurately enforce visa time limits and issue new visas to immigrants seeking to legally work and learn in the U.S. once it is determined how many have returned to their respective homelands.
