Washington, DC (September 20, 2006) – Today, Congressman Rubén Hinojosa (TX-15) urged his colleagues in the House of Representatives to stop dragging their feet, and rather than passing piecemeal, so-called “solutions” to our immigration problems, pass real, comprehensive legislation that addresses border security as well as the estimated 12 million people already living in the United States.

This afternoon, the House passed H.R. 4844, The Voter ID Act of 2006, introduced by Congressman Henry Hyde (R-IL).  The bill imposes new ID requirements on all voters in federal elections:  starting in 2008, voters would have to present a government-issued photo ID, or send in a copy when voting absentee or by mail, before getting a ballot; starting in 2010, the ID would also have to indicate proof of U.S. citizenship.  This would likely mean either a U.S. passport or the “REAL ID” card, which has yet to be implemented.

“This bill has the potential to disenfranchise scores of legal voters at a time when there is no evidence of significant, national instances of voter fraud,” said Hinojosa.  “The Voter ID Act of 2006 amounts to nothing more than a 21st Century poll tax requiring people such as the elderly, the disabled, and those living in rural communities to pay possibly hundreds of dollars that they don’t have to cast a ballot.”

In May 2006, the U.S. Senate passed S.2611.  The “Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006” creates border security and enforcement provisions, including: biometric data enhancements, a National Strategy for Border Security, and mandatory detention of illegal immigrants apprehended at ports of entry; creates interior enforcement provisions; makes it unlawful to hire or recruit undocumented workers; establishes a temporary guest worker program; reunites families; and authorizes the DREAM Act.

“Here we are once again considering legislation that does nothing to address our overall immigration problem or border security, and will likely not be considered by the Senate before this Congressional session adjourns,” said Hinojosa.  “Rather than tackling this tough and complex issue, the House is simply playing partisan, election year politics hoping the American people won’t notice.  Well, they are noticing, and they want reform – reform that is comprehensive, fair, and effective.”

To date, the House and Senate conferees have yet to meet to reconcile the bills’ differences.  If they fail to reach an agreement, both bills die in this Congress, and the issue will need to be revisited in the 110th Congressional Session.