House Immigrants Bill Gets White House OK
/ The White House offered a qualified endorsement
Wednesday of House legislation to prohibit immigrants from using state
driver's licenses as identification for boarding airliners and entering
federal buildings. The proposed bill also would make it easier
for judges to deport people claiming political asylum. The
administration said it "strongly supports" the bill the House began
debating Wednesday but wants it altered to ensure that new barriers are
not erected for refugees seeking asylum. It also asked Congress to
remove limits on the number of asylum recipients who can obtain
permanent U.S. residency. In a statement of administration policy, the
White House also said it wants the bill to clarify the definition of
"official purpose" for which immigrants' driver's licenses and
identification cards would still be accepted by federal agencies. [more]
