S 2356
110th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 2356
To enhance national security by restricting access of illegal
aliens to driver's licenses and State-issued identification documents.
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.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Prevention of Unsafe Licensing Act'.
SEC. 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.
SEC. 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--
(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).'.
END
