[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. 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.

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