House OKs linking driver's licenses, U.S. citizenship

The 261-161 vote on the bill, the so-called REAL ID Act, was largely along party lines. Only eight Republicans opposed it. President Bush said this week that he would support the measure, but Senate passage remains far from certain. The measure would require state officials to verify an applicant's citizenship or legal residency before issuing or renewing a driver's license. It also would require that driver's licenses for temporary foreign visitors expire on the same dates as their visas. Most states, including Texas, already require driver's license applicants to prove their legal status, but all states would have to pay the cost of revamping their licenses to meet the bill's new standards.Another provision would let immigration judges reject political-asylum claims based on criteria such as an applicant's demeanor or statements not taken under oath. Supporters of the bill, including its sponsor, Rep. James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., said it would combat terror, strengthen national security and improve public safety. Critics, mostly Democrats, countered that the bill is an anti-immigrant measure that would do nothing to make the nation safer. [more] and [more]