Immigration officials are moving rapidly to meet a congressionally imposed deadline for a new identification system for use at the most porous border entry points. The system will use ID cards encrypted with digital photographs, signatures, fingerprints and other information issued by the State Department and INS.

"Overnight it will be the largest biometric-based border clearance system ever attempted," said Richard Norton of the International Biometric Industry Association.

The border agency has been testing 30 card-reading machines for two months at three airports and at three crossing points, in Arizona, Texas and California.

***

A bill put forward by Arizona House Speaker Jake Flake would create a volunteer citizens corps to patrol the Mexican border to help stem the tide of illegal immigration and drug trafficking, and to assist with homeland security. The group would not have police powers or receive compensation. They would be able to carry firearms, as allowed by state law. Vigilante groups have been gathering near the border in recent months.

***

This week US Interior Secretary Gale Norton expressed reservations about the Border Patrol's plan to erect a tall fence along 249 miles of Southern Arizona. Norton said she'd prefer a low vehicle barrier that would keep cars from crossing into the United States from Mexico, but wouldn't prevent wildlife from migrating in their usual patterns.

***

The Bush administration is seeking $6 million to shore up patrols of federal lands along the border. The increase is small considering the Interior Department's $10.7 billion budget, but it could mean as many as 60 new law enforcement officers in national parks and on federal lands.

***

The investigation of a May 20 shooting at a US Border Patrol vehicle from what appeared to be a Mexican military vehicle has been closed with no arrests made, according to a FBI spokesman. The Justice Department and Mexican officials had no leads and no possible suspects. The rear window of the Border Patrol vehicle was shattered by a bullet, but there were no casualties.