From the Office of Congressman Spencer Bachus
The 6th District of Alabama
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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, February 10, 2005
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HOUSE PASSES BADLY NEEDED IMMIGRATION AND IDENTIFICATION REFORMS
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WASHINGTON- Congressman Bachus joined with colleagues in the House of Representatives this afternoon to pass the Real ID Act. Congressman Bachus was a co-sponsor of the Real ID Act because it implements three recommendations left out of last year's Intelligence Bill. This crucial legislation develops a set of national standards for the issuance of driver's licenses, toughens the requirements for asylum in the United States, and closes a large gap in the border with Mexico.
"One thing most Americans agree on is securing our borders. The 9/11 Commission recommended each of the Real ID Act provisions. I believe these represent vital, commonsense first steps as we begin to address the inadequacies of our long-neglected immigration system," said Congressman Bachus.
Specific provisions from the Real ID Act Include:
Driver's License Reforms
- Lax standards and loopholes in the current issuance processes allow terrorists to obtain driver's licenses- often multiple licenses from different states- and abuse the license for identification purposes.
- The REAL ID Act would require applicants to provide proof they are in the country legally. Currently, eleven states do not have such a requirement.
- The REAL ID Act would require identity documents to expire at the same time as the expiration of lawful entry status, preventing those who have illegally entered or are unlawfully present in the U.S. from having valid identification documents.
- States would still issue driver's licenses and identification cards and would control their own driver database.
Closing Asylum Loopholes
- The 9th Circuit Court has severely undermined current authorities by limiting the factors that judges can consider when assessing the credibility of an alien seeking asylum. This impairment encourages asylum fraud.
- The REAL ID Act would strengthen judges' ability to determine whether the asylum seeker is truthful. This provision codifies the factors immigration judges use to assess credibility.
Defending Borders
- In 1996 Congress approved building the 14 mile long San Diego Border Fence on the Mexico-U.S. border, right next to a major U.S. Navy base. Eight years later, the fence remains incomplete and is an opportunity for illegal aliens to cross the border illegally.
- The REAL ID Act will require the completion of this important security fence.
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