NCLR DENOUNCES PASSAGE OF "REAL ID ACT"

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Michele Waslin
Cecilia Muñoz
(202) 785-1670
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb 10, 2005


NCLR DENOUNCES PASSAGE OF "REAL ID ACT"

Angered by White House Support of the Measure

Washington, DC - The National Council of La Raza (NCLR), the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the U.S., laments today's passage of the "REAL ID Act" (H.R. 418) by the House of Representatives. The measure passed by a vote of 261 to 161. If it becomes law, the "REAL ID Act," sponsored by House Judiciary Committee Chair F. James Sensenbrenner (R-WI), would make all Americans less safe and undermine fundamental American values of fairness, due process, and protection for those fleeing persecution. The "REAL ID Act" would result in an increased number of unlicensed, uninsured drivers on the roads, persons fleeing persecution from receiving humanitarian relief in the U.S., and additional fences along U.S. borders.

"It is irresponsible for the House of Representatives to move forward on this ineffective and ill-conceived legislation," stated Janet Murguia, NCLR President and CEO. "If these provisions had been in place on September 11, 2001, they would not have stopped the terrorists from carrying out their attacks. The 'REAL ID Act' does nothing to enhance national security and it undermines public safety."

On Wednesday the White House released a Statement of Administration Policy (SAP) supporting the "REAL ID Act." "It is especially disappointing that the White House is supporting this legislation. This is a major step backward, not forward, from what is really needed: comprehensive immigration reform," continued Murguia. "The 'REAL ID Act' is harmful to immigrant communities, does not do anything to move toward meaningful immigration reform, and only makes the upcoming debate more divisive and difficult."

It is expected that the "REAL ID Act" will be attached to an appropriations bill in the near future. The Senate has not yet acted on the legislation. "NCLR is confident that the Senate will act more reasonably and fully debate these critical issues before moving forward," concluded Murguia.

For more information and a summary on the "REAL ID Act" go to http://www.nclr.org/content/publications/detail/29652/

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