Real ID Act of 2005
REAL ID ACT OF 2005 -- (Extensions of Remarks - February 18, 2005)
SPEECH OF
HON. BETTY McCOLLUM
OF MINNESOTA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2005
The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 418) to establish and rapidly implement regulations for State driver's license and identification document security standards, to prevent terrorists from abusing the asylum laws of the United States, to unify terrorism-related grounds for inadmissibility and removal, and to ensure expeditious construction of the San Diego border fence.
Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in opposition of H.R. 418, the REAL ID Act. This bill adds unnecessary burdens to the asylum process and unfunded mandates on state governments.
My home state of Minnesota has an ever-increasing population of new Americans. As is true across the country, thousands of my constituents fled religious discrimination, abuse, torture and religious persecution abroad. The United States is a beacon of hope for those around the world seeking safety, freedom and equality. It is vital that we remain that way.
The asylum provisions in H.R. 418 impose an undue burden on those immigrants fleeing persecution, torture, and other human rights abuses around the world. The bill would require the asylum seeker to show documentation of their torture. This would reverse years of precedent that allow a credible testimony to be proof of their case. It is outrageous to think that the human rights abusers abroad will provide proof of their crime to ensure an asylum-seeker can prove their case to immigration officials in the United States.
This bill will also place an unnecessary, unfunded mandate on states, most of whom are already facing budget challenges due to cuts in federal funding. Driver's license laws are the responsibility of state governments. Minnesota is on the forefront of developing secure identification for its citizens. Not more than 2 months ago, my state unveiled a new driver's license that is among the most secure licenses in the country. However, even with Minnesota's innovation, this bill would require a monumental effort on the part of the state to comply with the law, which is an unfunded mandate that ties the hands of state government.
I will continue to uphold my oath of office to preserve and protect our Constitution and the safety of our nation. No one wants terrorists to enter the United States, but this bill is not the answer to that problem. We must streamline and strengthen our immigration process, but we cannot do so at the expense of the abused, the tortured, and the persecuted.
http://thomas.loc.gov