Fight brews over federal Real ID Act
Published: February 20, 2007

By DAVID BATES
Of the News-Register


Oregon lawmakers will consider a bill Thursday to facilitate implementation of the federal Real ID Act.

Congress enacted the measure in 2005 with overwhelming bipartisan support. The House passed it 368-58 and the Senate by unanimous vote.

Part of an $82 billion supplemental military spending bill, the provision is aimed at preventing illegal immigrants from getting driver's licenses. States have until May 2008 to bring their licensing laws into compliance.

Now, a bipartisan effort is being mounted, from coast to coast, to derail the act - or, at the very least, warn citizens about what some see as the advent of an national ID card raising uncomfortable police state overtones.

What it amounts to for citizens is a lot more paperwork the next time they renew their license. Applicants will have to provide several documents, including a Social Security card, to verify they are in the U.S. legally.

Many state legislatures around the country have expressed misgivings, ranging from hesitations and reservations to outright opposition. On Monday, the Senate in Arizona, a frontline state in the fight against illegal immigration, joined the fray by unanimously approving a statement of opposition.

One of the motivating concerns for state officials is cost.

In September, a report issued by the National Governors Association, the National Conference of State Legislatures and the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, said it will cost more than $11 billion to implement the technology required by the Real ID Act.

Re-enrolling motorists alone will cost about $8.5 billion, the report said.

In Oregon, two bills have been put forward, and they have energized groups embroiled in the debate over illegal immigration.

One emerged from the office of Gov. Ted Kulongoski. However, it is the other, Senate Bill 424, sponsored by Mount Hood Democrat Rick Metsger, that's up for consideration this week.

The bill is scheduled for hearing at 1 p.m. Thursday in Hearing Room B at the Capitol in Salem.

Oregonians for Immigration Reform, headed by Jim Ludwick of McMinnville, supports both bills. It is calling on its supporters to submit testimony in favor, either orally or in writing.

Immigrant rights' groups and civil libertarians are rallying their troops for a push in the opposite direction.

PCUN, the Woodburn-based farmworkers' union, issued statement opposing the creation of a national ID card system.

"Instead we should join the growing momentum around the country calling for real solutions and protection of our civil rights and liberties," the union said.

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