On Friday, Gus had the opportunity to experience fingerprint identification firsthand when he visited Ceelox, a software development firm in Tampa.

Ceelox develops biometric Identity Access Management and encryption solutions for financial institutions, healthcare, utilities, government agencies and other organizations. They also make fingerprint scanners and biometric flash drives.

Gus has long been an advocate utilizing biometric technology in the maritime domain to clamp down on immigration violators, criminals, previous deportees and possible terrorists. With over 12,000 miles of coastline in the continental United States, securing our waterways is integral in securing the homeland.

You may recall that in July, the House passed Gus' bill H.R. 2490. The bill requires that the Secretary of Homeland Security, in conjunction with the Coast Guard, create a program for the mobile biometric identification, in the maritime environment, of aliens unlawfully attempting to enter the United States.  The bill also requires DHS to ensure this biometric system is integrated into other systems within DHS and other agencies.