Representing North Carolina’s Ninth District                                                                        

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, US Representative Sue Myrick (NC-9) voted for HR
418, the Real ID Act.  Rep. Myrick is an original Co-sponsor of this Act, which passed the House by a vote of 261-161. 

 “This bill will reform our immigration laws to make America safer,” said Rep. Myrick.  “This bill is a large step in the right direction, and I’ll continue to support immigration reforms that will help prevent acts like 9/11 from happening again.”

 In December 2004, Representative Myrick voted against the National Intelligence Reform Act because it left out key provisions that would have reformed immigration laws. Rep. Myrick believed that without these provisions terrorists could continue to use loopholes in our immigration laws to illegally enter into the United States and commit terrorist acts.  HR 418 properly addresses items left out of the National Intelligence Bill,  strengthens immigration laws, and improves national security.

 The Real ID Act would establish minimum security standards for state driver’s licenses and i.d. cards.  It requires states to make sure a person is who they say they are, and that they are here legally.  The bill also changes the law so that driver’s licenses expire at the same time as an alien’s US Visa.  In addition, the bill would tighten asylum laws, complete the U.S.-Mexico border fence, and make it easier to deport illegal aliens participating in terrorist activities.

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