Immigration Bills

S. 644, the Widows and Orphans Act, would increase asylum claims by creating a new special immigrant visa category for an unlimited number of women and children who are at risk of harm due to their gender and age. While it is difficult to estimate the numeric impact of this legislation, it is easy to imagine it would double the current 10,000 asylees who are allowed to become permanent residents each year.

H.R. 418, the REAL ID Act, would set federal standards for the the issuance of driver's licenses and a legal presence requirement that would make illegal aliens ineligible for driver's licenses. As well, H.R. 418 would tie the driver's license expiration date of a temporary visa holder to the expiration date of their visa so that those who enter the country legally as visa holders, but become illegal aliens by overstaying their visas, will not have a valid driver's license after the date of the expiration of their visa.