Trump Admin. finally implements REAL IDs

After nearly 20 years of delays, the REAL ID Act's identification requirements finally went into effect earlier this week. As a key recommendation of the 9/11 Commission, individuals must now show REAL ID-compliant identification to board an airplane or access federal facilities.

How does REAL ID relate to immigration? 

To receive a REAL ID-compliant identification card, individuals must prove they are U.S. citizens, legally present aliens, or asylum seekers. Even though 19 states, plus the District of Columbia, issue driver's licenses to illegal aliens, they can't issue them a REAL ID-compliant license. In addition, REAL ID will make it far more difficult for illegal aliens and terrorists to fraudulently obtain welfare and other federal benefits or steal another person's identity if government agencies require REAL IDs.

REAL ID could also help prevent illegal aliens from registering to vote. The SAVE Act, introduced by Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) and Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), would prohibit individuals from using non-REAL ID-compliant identification cards to register to vote. Also, because REAL IDs are issued to noncitizens, the bill requires anyone using a REAL ID to show proof of U.S. citizenship (they can use the same documents they used to obtain their REAL ID). A handful of states actually indicate U.S. citizenship on the REAL IDs they issue, so no further proof would be required in those states.

The House of Representatives passed the SAVE Act with bipartisan support earlier this year, but it has yet to come to the Senate floor for a vote.

The 2005 REAL ID Act had more impact on immigration and national security than simply making IDs more secure. The law also included a provision that allows the federal government to waive any laws that could prevent the construction of a border wall along certain sections of the Southern border. That provision was later expanded through the Secure Fence Act of 2006. It also expanded the grounds for inadmissibility and deportation for foreign nationals with ties to terrorists.

Immigration News

DHS to pay illegal immigrants $1,000 to self-deport
The big news at the beginning of this week centered around an announcement from DHS that it will be giving $1,000 to illegal aliens who choose to self-deport using the CBP Home app. Stephen Dinan of The Washington Times detailed the announcement, which included a quote from IAP’s Director of Policy, Rosemary Jenks:

“I think it’s a better idea to give Americans $1,000 each and just boot the illegals,” she said. “They’ve had enough free stuff paid for by us.”

End the H-1B visa program
This week had several great op-eds in the Washington Examiner, covering chain migration, our record foreign-born population, and visa reform. One was penned by our friend Ken Cuccinelli, former acting Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security, who is currently a Senior Fellow for Homeland Security and Immigration at the Center for Renewing America. Ken calls for the end of the H-1B visa program, detailing the flaws with the program and calling for an immigration system that puts American workers first. If you’d like to read more about the H-1B visa program, check out our one-pager here. 

Trump asks Supreme Court to allow cancellation of legal status for 500,000 immigrants
The well-funded opponents of immigration enforcement have been highly active, filing lawsuits in friendly Federal districts to block the Trump Administration from carrying out its immigration mandate. This week, the administration filed an emergency appeal to the Supreme Court to allow it to end former President Biden’s illegal parole program for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans (CHNV). This case joins other major cases before the Court, including ending the extension of Venezuelan Temporary Protected Status (TPS), the use of the Alien Enemies Act to deport Tren de Aragua gang members, and the President’s efforts to end birthright citizenship for illegal aliens and temporary visitors.

Scoop: Democrats urged to ditch immigration message after Biden failures
Axios had an exclusive story from a Wednesday briefing for Senate Democrats by a representative of the pro-amnesty FWD.us organization. While we had hoped Democrats would be focusing on changing their position on immigration, this article makes it clear that the only thing that will be changing is how they message the same, tired policies. “The lawmakers were encouraged to ditch their longtime message of ‘comprehensive immigration reform.” We look forward to the next poll-tested phrase for mass amnesty.

Next Week

The House and Senate will be in town next week, continuing the reconciliation process. While the immigration provisions to be included in the House bill are finalized (they could still be changed by the Senate), the House will have much on its plate to reach consensus on other parts of the package. On Thursday, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the birthright citizenship case. The Court will be focused on the proper scope of judicial injunctions, rather than the merits of the case (though the merits may be discussed), but Rosemary and Grant have been invited to attend the arguments, so we’ll have an update for you next Friday.