I agree with you. I fully believe this is a necessary step in the war on terror and the securing of our borders. All the states have to face this issue unitedly or national security is only a pipe dream.
Hey how about avoiding this and you know actually SECURING THE FRIGGIN BORDERS?
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:HR01268:@@@S
This was the information I had on the bill prior to many of the acts of the Senate:
Information:
How far will we allow government to go in an effort to curb illegal immigration? Although this proposed law does set new standards for drivers’ licenses and State identification cards, it goes far beyond that.
What this Bill Will Do:
1. Federal standards are set for the documentation necessary to get a driver’s license or State ID card
2. Procedures for deportation, or refusal to admit, certain aliens is clarified and simplified.
3. State driver’s information databases are linked for law enforcement in the original version; it has been removed for now.
4. Legal and procedural challenges to prevent the physical strengthening of borders are stopped.
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1. Driver’s License and State ID
“b) Minimum Document Requirements-
To meet the requirements of this section, a State shall include, at a minimum, the following information and features on each driver's license and identification card issued to a person by the State:
(1) The person's full legal name.
(2) The person's date of birth.
(3) The person's gender.
(4) The person's driver's license or identification card number.
(5) A digital photograph of the person.
(6) The person's address of principle residence.
(7) The person's signature.
(8) Physical security features designed to prevent tampering, counterfeiting, or duplication of the document for fraudulent purposes.
(9) A common machine-readable technology, with defined minimum data elements.
(c) Minimum Issuance Standards-
(1) IN GENERAL- To meet the requirements of this section, a State shall require, at a minimum, presentation and verification of the following information before issuing a driver's license or identification card to a person:
(A) A photo identity document, except that a non-photo identity document is acceptable if it includes both the person's full legal name and date of birth.
(B) Documentation showing the person's date of birth.
(C) Proof of the person's social security account number or verification that the person is not eligible for a social security account number.
(D) Documentation showing the person's name and address of principal residence.
(2) SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS-
(A) IN GENERAL- To meet the requirements of this section, a State shall comply with the minimum standards of this paragraph.
(B) EVIDENCE OF LAWFUL STATUS- A State shall require, before issuing a driver's license or identification card to a person, valid documentary evidence that the person--
(i) is a citizen of the United States;
(ii) is an alien lawfully admitted for permanent or temporary residence in the United States;
(iii) has conditional permanent resident status in the United States;
(iv) has an approved application for asylum in the United States or has entered into the United States in refugee status;
(v) has a valid, unexpired nonimmigrant visa or nonimmigrant visa status for entry into the United States;
(vi) has a pending application for asylum in the United States;
(vii) has a pending or approved application for temporary protected status in the United States;
(viii) has approved deferred action status; or
(ix) has a pending application for adjustment of status to that of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States or conditional permanent resident status in the United States.” ------ Any license or ID card that is issued to a person with a limited visa or application will have the expiration dates match; so, when the visa expires, so will the driver’s license or State identification card.
2. Preventing Relief From Removal of Aliens
This law will put a heavier burden of proof on any person who seeks political asylum in the United States, and gives the Feds strong powers in denying entrance to aliens if they have even the remotest ties to any suspected terrorist or terrorist activities. By putting written details on immigration restrictions and the deportation of unwanteds, the court challenges are kept to an absolute minimum.
3. Linking of Databases (REMOVED FROM BILL)
Although the feds do not require that a State link its drivers’ information databases with a national network, it ‘suggests’ it by this language: “To be eligible to receive any grant or other type of financial assistance made available under this title, a State shall participate in the interstate compact regarding sharing of driver license data.” Included in the required information will be all the data on the driver’s license and the driver’s history, “including violations, suspensions, and points on licenses.”
4. Physical Improvements on Our Borders
The Secretary of Homeland Security will have the power to waive all laws that he determines necessary to “ensure expeditious construction of the barriers and roads” necessary for border security. There is no limitation concerning this section; as a matter of fact, it is written in this law that these decisions reached by the Secretary of Homeland Security are not subject to judicial review. Although this may be designed to stop any potential suits involving the concerns of environmental or human rights groups, one wonders if any private property rights will also be affected.