Speech #1100000916

This bill strictly prohibits the use of the Social Security card as a national ID card. and stipulates that the card not be required to be routinely carried on ones person. Social Security cards are often already required to be provided to new employers. the changes we are proposing to the Social Security card take us no further down the road of creating a national ID card. It should be noted that the government already has the information that would be contained in the Employment Eligibility Database. an individuals eligibility to work under the law is dependent on whether they are a U.S. citizen. and if not. their immigration status. Finally. the Immigration Enforcement and Social Security Protection Act also puts teeth into the new enforcement procedures by calling for the addition of 10.000 new Homeland Security officers whose sole responsibility will be to enforce employer compliance with the law. These new agents will free up the rest of the Border Patrol to exclusively focus on border enforcement and terrorism prevention. Madam Speaker. I do not stand here today to tell the rest of the world that we intend to limit opportunities for the American dream to be fulfilled. As my good friend Arnold Schwarzenegger. Govemor of my home state of California and an immigrant himself has said. many arrive in America "owning nothing but a dream." However. the Govemor has also noted that the first order of our government must be to provide security for our borders. If foreign nationals wish to come to the United States. they must. as Govemor Schwarzenegger said. "play by the rules." and we must make clear that there will be no economic opportunity for anyone who enters this country illegally. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues in this effort. and hope they will consider joining me as we take action on this vital national security priority.