State Federal Relations - Letters and Testimonies

Immigrant Policy Project

June 27, 2007

The Honorable Max Baucus
United States Senate
511 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20501

The Honorable Jon Tester
United States Senate
204 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20501

Dear Senators Baucus and Tester:

The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) writes in support of your amendment to the immigration reform bill, which prevents expanding the “official purpose” of the Real ID to include securing employment. As you know, many state legislatures throughout the country have enacted legislation to either prohibit their state’s participation in or calling for the repeal of the Real ID Act. The proposed expanded use of the Real ID in the Senate immigration bill would effectively mandate all states to comply with the requirements of the act. Your amendment prevents making Real ID a mandate on states and preserves the basic principles of federalism by not diminishing state authority.

Members of Congress should oppose efforts to expand the use of the Real ID and instead focus on fixing the program in order to ensure successful and cost-effective implementation of the Act. For additional assistance and information, please have your staff contact Molly Ramsdell (202624-3584; molly.ramsdell@ncsl.org) or Michael Bird (202-624-8686; Michael.bird@ncsl.org).

Sincerely,

Leticia R. Van de Putte, R. Ph.
Texas Senate
President, National Conference of State Legislatures

State Federal Relations - Letters and TestimoniesImmigrant Policy Project

State Federal Relations - Letters and Testimonies

Immigrant Policy Project