The Washington Times
Republican leaders say the immigration reforms in their intelligence overhaul bill will remain, despite prodding by Senate Republicans and the White House to delete the provisions.
The bill calls for a crackdown on driver's licenses for illegal aliens, easier deportations and limits on the use of foreign consular identification cards. The White House initially signed off on these provisions, which House leaders and some September 11 family members endorsed.
"This bill will make the American people safer," said House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, Texas Republican. "In order for anything to be added or taken out of this bill, you have to show how it makes America safer."
The Washington Times reported Monday that White House policy staffers urged House members over the weekend to strip out the immigration provisions, said a congressional source familiar with the bill and Rosemary Jerks, a lobbyist for Numbers USA, an immigration controls group that has been tracking the bill.
White House officials yesterday didn't deny a shift in position or that a policy meeting had taken place.
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