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H.R. 3534 108th Congress House

BE REAL Act of 2003

Official title: To enhance border enforcement, improve homeland security, remove incentives for illegal immigration, and establish a guest worker program.

Introduced: November 19, 2003 See on congress.gov
Immigration Administrative feesAdministrative remediesAdmission of nonimmigrantsAir force
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Alien laborAliensAmnestiesArmed Forces and National SecurityArmyArrestBank accountsBorder patrolsBoundariesCivil actions and liabilityComputer matchingCongressCongressional oversightCongressional reporting requirementsCounterfeitingCrime and Law EnforcementCriminal aliensCriminal justice informationData banksDepartment of Homeland SecurityDepartment of StateDeportationDetention of personsDirectoriesDismissal of employeesDriver licensesEBB TerrorismEconomics and Public FinanceElectronic data interchangeElectronic government informationEmbassiesEmployee benefit plansEmployee health benefitsEmployee rightsEmployee selectionEmployee trainingEnvironmental ProtectionEnvironmental assessmentFamiliesFederal aid programsFederal employeesFederal law enforcement officersFinance and Financial SectorFines (Penalties)FingerprintsForeign serviceForgeryFraudGovernment Operations and PoliticsGovernment liabilityGovernment paperworkGovernment publicityGovernment trust fundsGovernmental investigationsGrants-in-aidHealthIdentification devicesIdentification of criminalsIllegal aliensImmigrantsInjunctionsInternational AffairsInternetJob huntingLabor and EmploymentLabor statisticsLawLayoffsMarried peopleMilitary civic actionPassportsPhysical examinationsPrisonsPublic recordsRecruiting of employeesResidence requirementsRight of asylumSalariesScience, Technology, CommunicationsSocial WelfareSocial security numbersSurety and fidelitySurveysTax returnsTaxationTelephoneTerrorismTransportation and Public WorksTravelTravel costsUnemploymentUser chargesVisasVital statisticsWagesWarrants (Law)
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This bill died when the 108th Congress ended
It never became law before the 108th Congress (2003–2004) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 9 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jun 22, 2004
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H4754-4758)
Mar 11, 2004
Referred to the Subcommittee on 21st Century Competitiveness.
Mar 11, 2004
Referred to the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.
Mar 11, 2004
Referred to the Subcommittee on Employer-Employee Relations.
Dec 10, 2003
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims.
Dec 5, 2003
Referred to the Subcommittee on Civil Service and Agency Organization.
Dec 1, 2003
Referred to the Subcommittee on Social Security.
Nov 19, 2003
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.
Nov 19, 2003
Introduced in House
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 Latest action June 22, 2004

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H4754-4758)

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

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.

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.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 11
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 3534: BE REAL Act of 2003. 108th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-3534/
MLA
"H.R. 3534: BE REAL Act of 2003." 108th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-3534/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 3534, 108th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-3534/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 3534: BE REAL Act of 2003](https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-3534/)
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