[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 19 (Friday, February 18, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E305]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          REAL ID ACT OF 2005

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. EARL POMEROY

                            of north dakota

                    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.

  Mr. POMEROY. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to say that I will be voting 
against H.R. 418. We have made significant progress in implementing the 
recommendations of the 9/11 Commission, and I support additional 
reforms that make real progress in addressing problems plaguing our 
immigration system. However, H.R. 418 does not go far enough in 
improving this immigration system in ways that will enhance our 
national security.
  Instead of comprehensively reforming our immigration system, this 
proposal seeks to overturn key provisions adopted in the Intelligence 
Reform bill last year requiring strict new standards for driver's 
licenses. The Department of Homeland Security is already collaborating 
with states to devise sensible standards that work. This bill rolls 
back this approach in favor of Congressionally-mandated rules which did 
not have the benefit of committee hearings.
  Additionally, this bill creates additional, next-to-impossible 
hurdles for legitimate asylum seekers. Many of these asylum-seekers 
have been the victims of terrorism themselves and have fled to this 
country seeking freedom and democracy. About a month ago, I learned the 
heart-breaking story an Iraqi informant who saved North Dakota lives 
and lost his own in advancing the cause of freedom and democracy in 
Iraq. Though his family escaped with their lives, the continued risk to 
these friends of America now prompts our urgent attention. I fear that 
passage of this legislation today would mean that we would not be able 
to allow this family, who sacrificed so much, to enter the United 
States and remain here while their lives are threatened.
  Mr. Chairman, I will vote against H.R. 418, and I encourage my 
colleagues to seek real reform that addresses the problems in our 
broken immigration system.

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