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]