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I do not understand why people are even debating the proposed National I.D. card! Folks, this is incrementalism at its best. First, the National I.D. Then, with the surge of biometrics, the implanted chip. Please tell me you see the connection. When people are sick of losing their cards or the privacy issue becomes too much of a problem, the implantable chip will be implimented. This has little to do with security. It has everything to do with control! Have we forgotten what Free Society means? Folks, the people that passed the Patriot Act, wrote Patriot Act II and at...

Thursday, March 3, 2005It's now time to shift our focus to the U.S. Senate. You may remember that the House of Representatives recently passed H.R. 418, the National ID card bill. But the bill has been met with a lukewarm reception in the Senate. So House sponsors are now trying to increase the bill's chances by sneaking it onto a politically popular piece of legislation -- the Iraq War/Tsunami relief bill. H.R. 418 was largely supported in the House because it purports to deal with illegal immigration and terrorism. Too bad that H.R. 418 does not do what it is...

Congressmen Michael Michaud and Congressman Tom Allen are liars! Senators Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe are liars! Does that sound harsh? But, as you see, through the next two reports on existing legislation, it is true, Collins, Snowe, Michaud and Allen are liars, liars defined as being men or women who do not tell the truth, but instead say one thing and do the opposite. HR-552 Congressman Michael Michaud of Maine's second congressional district has claimed over and over again and has won his seat based upon the claim that he is Pro-Life, yet, he has refused to join in...

Even in a relationship that has clearly gone somewhere beyond abusive, it can hurt to be reminded how little our "partners" in D.C.—supposedly our agents, in fact, representing our own interests and using only powers we've ceded them—really respect us. No matter how loyal and supportive we try to be—they ask us to trouble ourselves to vote, and more than half of us do, and it seems to make them so proud—well, every once in a while the velvet glove comes off and we get bitchslapped hard with an open iron slap. Not a fist—that would acknowledge that they actually...

Some key players in White House immigration policy have seen career setbacks in recent weeks. Undersecretary Asa Hutchinson (search) resigned altogether from the Department of Homeland Security shortly after the president did not select him to replace nominee Bernard Kerik (search). Rep. Chris Cannon (search), who in only mid-January was telling the press that he would do everything in his power to see his guest worker program passed, had resigned from the House Immigration Subcommittee by the end of the month. Some observers have wondered if these resignations are mere coincidence or if they are signs that the White House...

House passes controversial immigration bill Law would deny driver licenses to illegal aliens, provide anti-terror measures By Jerry Kammer COPLEY NEWS SERVICE February 10, 2005 WASHINGTON – Dividing largely along party lines, the House passed a controversial bill Thursday designed to curtail illegal immigration as a way to achieve greater homeland security. The bill, which passed 261-161, would pressure states to deny driver licenses to illegal aliens, make it easier to turn away some political asylum seekers and ease the deportation of suspected terrorists. The measure would empower bounty hunters to go after immigrants who have defied orders of...

WASHINGTON, Feb. 10 - The House of Representatives voted on Thursday to approve a bill tightening immigration laws in the name of border security. The main provisions of the bill, which passed 261 to 161, block states from issuing standard drivers' licenses to illegal immigrants and make it easier for judges to expel asylum seekers. Representative F. James Sensenbrenner Jr., Republican of Wisconsin and sponsor of the bill, said that the measures were necessary to fulfill recommendations of the commission that investigated the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Noting that several of the men involved in those attacks were...

House approves electronic ID cards By Declan McCullagh http://news.com.com/House+approves+electronic+ID+cards/2100-1028_3-5571898.html Story last modified Thu Feb 10 17:46:00 PST 2005 The U.S. House of Representatives approved on Thursday a sweeping set of rules aimed at forcing states to issue all adults federally approved electronic ID cards, including driver's licenses. Under the rules, federal employees would reject licenses or identity cards that don't comply, which could curb Americans' access to airplanes, trains, national parks, federal courthouses and other areas controlled by the federal government. The bill was approved by a 261-161 vote. The measure, called the Real ID Act, says that driver's...

If all goes according to plan, the House of Representatives this week will take important, if long overdue, steps toward securing the nation's borders and interior. It was outrageous that these steps, which were among the corrective actions identified by the September 11 Commission, were not taken last year. Worse yet, those who prevented what are now provisions of Judiciary Committee Chairman James Sensenbrenner's "REAL ID" bill from becoming law in 2004 are no less determined to block this legislation again in 2005 — and, thereby, to perpetuate America's vulnerability. Click to learn more... The REAL ID Act (H.R. 418)...

WASHINGTON — Hoping to keep drivers licenses out of the hands of terrorists (search), the House voted Thursday to make states verify that applicants are U.S. citizens or legal immigrants. Republicans pushed the measure through on a 261-161 vote despite protests from governors and state motor vehicle departments that it would be too costly and would require them to take on the role of immigration officers. The bill also would make it easier for judges to deport immigrants seeking political asylum if they think they might be terrorists. "Common sense says we should not allow suspected terrorists to be able...

Not so many years ago, immigration - especially illegal immigration - was one of those topics best discussed in lowered tones and in small settings. Time passed and suddenly there are signs all over the place that immigration has become one of the nation's most fashionable topics. For example, last Sunday's Denver Post contained an article detailing Colorado Congressman Tom Tancredo's plans to keep the issue front and center even if it means he will have to mount a quixotic campaign for president. Tancredo's determination to go on the offensive is best understood as part of a larger political...

House Likely to OK Migrant Restrictions Thu Feb 10, 7:55 AM ET By Mary Curtius Times Staff Writer WASHINGTON — A bill aimed at blocking states from issuing driver's licenses to illegal immigrants appeared headed for passage today in the House of Representatives, aided by a strong endorsement from the White House and broad support within the Republican majority. • Latimes.com home page • Subscribe to the Los Angeles Times Rep. F. James Sensenbrenner (news, bio, voting record) Jr. (R-Wis.), chairman of the House Judiciary Committee (news - web sites) and the bill's prime sponsor, portrayed the legislation — which...

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Although reshaping U.S. immigration law is a priority of President Bush's second term, his proposal for a guestworker program wasn't on the table as the Republican-controlled House took up an immigration bill this week. Judiciary Committee Chairman James Sensenbrenner, sponsor of the bill scheduled for a vote Thursday, said his legislation deals with border security. Including Bush's guestworker proposal or other measures would muddy the debate and mark all immigrants as terrorists, he said. "I think they are two separate issues. The immigration question is something the Judiciary Committee will handle later on,"

White House sides with bill to bar illegal immigrants from using driver's licenses to board planes or enter federal facilities. WASHINGTON – The Bush administration today gave a boost to a Republican-backed measure being debated on the House floor this week that would bar illegal immigrants from using driver's licenses to board airplanes or enter federal facilities. All five GOP House members from Orange County have co-sponsored the measure. "The administration strongly supports House passage of HR418, to strengthen the ability of the United States to protect against terrorist entry into and activities within the United States," said a policy...

ON CAPITOL HILL Homeland chief to 'waive all laws'? Security provision in REAL ID Act gives feds broad powers at border Posted: February 10, 20051:00 a.m. Eastern © 2005 WorldNetDaily.com Opposition to a homeland-security bill brought to the floor of Congress yesterday largely has centered on fears it would lead to a national ID, but some critics point to an overlooked section that apparently gives the White House sweeping powers to suspend laws for the purpose of protecting U.S. borders. Section 102 of the REAL ID Act of 2005 seeks to expedite the building of a three-mile fence at the border...

H.R.418 is a measure before the House that will strictly control use of drivers'licences by illegal aliens and Grsssfire has sent a petition with over 110,000 signatures to Congress urging their support. They also gave a phone number,202-224-3121, by which one can contact one's representative in DC. To my amazement I delivered my message to my congressman's office in less than two minutes! Everyone concerned about illegals and the threat some potentially pose to national security should become involved!

The National ID card is back in the news, as Congress is getting set once again to debate the issue. You will remember that late last year, Congress passed (and the President signed) legislation which starts us down the road to a National ID card. In the name of preventing alien terrorists from operating in this country, the so-called Intelligence Reform bill gave federal bureaucrats unprecedented new powers to force changes in state-issued driver's licenses -- including, possibly, the addition of computer chip technology that can facilitate the tracking of all U.S. citizens. Now, the House will be debating new...

Action Alert:  Oppose H.R. 418 (national ID) February 8, 2005 Are the terrorists winning?  When al-Qaeda attacked the United States on September 11, 2001, they made it clear they hate America and want to terrorize us into changing America. If they could, the terrorists would destroy the unique American way of life.  But they can't.  Only we can do that. Tragically, too much of the legislation enacted by Congress in a knee-jerk reaction to 9/11 does al-Qaeda's job for them.  The Patriot Act took the first, disastrous step toward fundamentally changing our way of life.  Then came the homeland security...

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 - Representative Tom DeLay of Texas, the House majority leader, said Tuesday that conservatives might be able to compromise with President Bush on his proposal allowing illegal immigrants to work in the United States legally. Such a compromise could entail, for example, requiring illegal immigrants to return to their native countries to apply for the program, Mr. DeLay said. Advertisement Mr. DeLay said he talked recently with the president, who has advocated a guest worker program that would be open to workers who are currently in the country illegally as well as to newcomers.

LOS ANGELES (AP) - The county Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to continue to accept identification cards issued by foreign consulates but to train county employees to help them detect fraudulent cards. The decision came after Supervisor Mike Antonovich announced he had been given a fraudulent Mexican identification card with his own photo on it and urged fellow supervisors not to accept the cards. The motion passed by a 3-2 vote with Supervisors Gloria Molina, Yvonne B. Burke and Zev Yaroslavsky in favor, and Antonovich and Don Knabe voting against the measure. The Mexican consular cards are by far the...