II 110th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2356 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 14, 2007 Mr. Coleman introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To enhance national security by restricting access of illegal aliens to driver’s licenses and State-issued identification documents.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Prevention of Unsafe Licensing Act.

2.

Findings

Congress makes the following findings: (1)The ability of illegal aliens and terrorists to acquire driver’s licenses or identification cards poses a threat to national security. (2)Issuing driver’s licenses or other forms of documentation to individuals who are illegally present in the United States will enable illegal aliens, and possibly terrorists, to open bank accounts, transfer money out of the country, purchase weapons, and commit voter fraud. (3)The 9/11 terrorists acquired dozens of driver’s licenses from States with weak licensing laws. The 9/11 hijackers also acquired a total of 28 State-issued identification cards or driver’s licenses. (4)An illegal alien, whose presence in the United States proves blatant disregard of Federal law, should not be rewarded by having his or her presence in the United States supported by receiving legitimate government-issued identification. (5)Congress passed the REAL ID Act of 2005 (division B of Public Law 109–13) to enhance security of State-issued driver’s licenses and other identification documents to prevent potential terrorists from obtaining identification documents in order to remain and operate in the United States. (6)Recent actions by some States have demonstrated a willingness to exploit loopholes in the law to provide driver’s licenses to illegal aliens regardless of the security concerns. (7)A driver’s license is a desired document that enables an individual to travel and live in the United States and may facilitate acquiring other documents and services. (8)Illegal aliens may use a driver’s license to register and vote in Federal, State, and local elections. (9)Allowing illegal immigrants to have access to driver’s licenses could hinder an employer’s ability to check identification and verify legal status and work authorization. (10)Federal courts have repeatedly found that Congress has plenary power to regulate immigration, including conditions on admissibility, presence, and removal of aliens.

3.

Prohibition on Issuing Driver’s Licenses to Illegal Aliens

Section 202 of the REAL ID Act of 2005 (49 U.S.C. 30301 note) is amended— (1)in subsection (d)— (A)by striking paragraph (11); and (B)by redesignating paragraphs (12) and (13) as paragraphs (11) and (12), respectively; and (2)by adding at the end the following: (e)

Prohibition

A State is prohibited from issuing a driver’s license or identification card to any individual unless the State fully complies with the requirements under subsection (c)(2)(B). .