forbes.house.gov

J. Randy Forbes
Contact: Stephanie Nigro (202) 225-6365


Forbes Announces Support For Photo Identification Security Act

Washington, D.C., Aug 10 -

 Congressman J. Randy Forbes (VA-04) announced today that he is cosponsoring legislation to ensure that financial institutions only give credit cards to customers with valid forms of identification. Sponsored by Rep. Marsha Blackburn (TN-07), the Photo Identification Security Act of 2007 (H.R. 1314), would ensure that illegal immigrants cannot obtain credits cards or use government institutions to transfer money.

“Obtaining a credit card and using our Federal Reserve system should be limited to those with valid forms of identification that prove they are in this country legally. Illegal aliens should not be using American financial institutions to finance their activities, particularly as this exposes the United States to the risk of funding terrorism through our own financial institutions,” Forbes said.

Currently, several banking institutions allow customers who do not have a Social Security Number to sign up for a credit card. The Federal Reserve in conjunction with the U.S. Treasury Department has a cooperative agreement with the Central Bank of Mexico that encourages anyone, including illegal immigrants, to use the banking system to transfer money. These programs exploit loopholes in the PATRIOT Act and IRS regulations that mandate secure forms of identification to conduct banking transactions. This legislation would restrict the forms of acceptable individual identification to the following:

• Social Security card accompanied by a photo identification card issued by the federal or a state government;


• Driver's license or identification card issued by a state that is in compliance with the REAL ID Act of 2005;


• Passport issued by the United States or a foreign government; or
  
• Photo identification card issued by the Secretary of Homeland Security.

Congressman Forbes is a strong advocate for immigration reform and supports legislation such as this that limits the ability of illegal aliens to operate in the United States. He serves on the House Judiciary Committee, the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law, and the House Immigration Reform Caucus.

For a comprehensive look at Congressman Forbes’ work on immigration issues, please visit: http://forbes.house.gov/issues/immigration.htm.

# # #