(Washington, DC)— Congresswoman Diane E. Watson released the following statement on the REAL ID Act, which the House of Representatives today approved by a vote of 261-161:

“H.R. 418–The Real ID Act of 2005–is nothing more than a recycle of controversial provisions that were rejected from the Intelligence Reform Act adopted two months ago. 

Most of the issues raised by the proponents of this bill do not deal with border security and stopping terrorists from entering the United States.  The bill instead addresses immigration-related issues that are complex and should be considered in the broader context of immigration reform.

The Real ID Act imposes new and unfair evidentiary standards that would prevent legitimate asylum-seekers–who are escaping torture and worse–from finding refuge in the U.S.  The bill also places new and expensive  requirements on every state that applicants for a driver’s license or ID must prove their U.S. citizenship or lawful presence in the U.S.   The 9/11 terrorists didn’t need valid driver’s licenses in order to hijack airplanes.  The real breakdown in security occurred before the hijackers ever entered the U.S.

In addition, Congress already addressed state driver’s license vulnerabilities by writing the 9/11 Commission’s recommendations into the new Intelligence Reform Act.  That law includes important measures to protect against identity theft and strengthen the process of verifying the identity of license applicants.  Overturning a significant portion of the Intelligence Reform Act within months of its passage in order to add immigration status-based restrictions on who can obtain a driver’s license is reckless.

The REAL ID Act is too sweeping and slams the door in the face of legitimate refugees and asylum seekers who are escaping tyranny, torture, and even death.  We need to go back to the drawing board and craft a bipartisan bill on real immigration reform.”