BUSH BACKS DRIVER'S LICENSE BAN.

Byline: Lisa Friedman Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON - President George W. Bush threw his support Wednesday behind a bill to deny driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants, and the House is poised today to vote on the controversial measure.

Bush's endorsement came as Southern California's delegation squared off over the bill that would set minimum national standards on driver's licenses. The legislation by Rep. James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., also would make it easier to deport immigrants seeking political asylum and expedite completion of a U.S./Mexico border fence near San Diego.

In a statement, the White House said it ``strongly supports'' Sensenbrenner's bill ``to protect against terrorist entry into and activities within the United States.''

Yet the heated, daylong deliberation of the REAL ID Act consisted mostly of partisan accusations and barbs over the measure's implications for national security, as well as America's reputation as a haven for those fleeing persecution.

``This is an issue that Democrats and Republicans alike can come together on to ensure that we do secure our borders,'' said Rep. David Dreier, R-Glendora.

Under the bill, states must see proof of an applicant's citizenship or legal U.S. status before issuing a license, and note that status clearly on each card.

While states would technically still be allowed to issue driver's licenses to illegal immigrants, those licenses would not be valid for boarding planes or entering federal buildings.

``The goal of the REAL ID Act is straightforward. It seeks to prevent another 9/11-type terrorist attack by disrupting terrorist travel,'' Sensenbrenner said.

The House is widely expected to pass the bill although it faces opposition in the Senate.

Supporters said the bill would help put safeguards on a system that currently allows terrorists and criminal aliens to enter the United States through easily obtainable identification documents.

``Each day, thousands of people illegally enter the United States. They know how to get across, they know how to get a driver's license. And, if they're caught, they even know how to rig our legal system to stay in the country,'' said Rep. Chris Cox, R-Newport Beach, chairman of the Homeland Security Committee.

Area Democrats agreed that America's immigration system needs to be reformed, but they assailed the bill as an attack on immigrants.

Rep. Jane Harman, D-El Segundo, the leading Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, criticized Bush's decision to fund only 201 new border security officers in his 2006 budget despite signing legislation last year authorizing 10,000 additional agents.

``We already have the tools for securing our driver's licenses and our borders that will truly make our country safer,'' Harman said. ``If we're going to be serious about border security, we need more resources.''

Rep. Linda Sanchez, D-Lakewood, called herself the ``proud daughter of immigrants'' and said she was ``angered and outraged'' by the bill.

``Republicans are using national security as a facade to alienate law- abiding and taxpaying immigrants. What we should be doing is allowing these immigrants a path to citizenship,'' she said.

Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Los Angeles, said the measure would impose costly new requirements on states that could not be achieved in the mandated three years.

And Rep. Howard Berman, D-Van Nuys, said he believes immigration and national security are ``inextricably linked'' and that Congress should couple enforcement measures with immigration reform.

Wednesday's debate came as California continues to struggle over banning driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants.

Hollywood celebrities have campaigned to allow illegal aliens to apply for licenses even as a campaign for a November ballot measure denying licenses and other benefits picks up steam.

Despite the high-profile nature of the driver's license debate, the sharpest opposition to Sensenbrenner's bill has come from those who oppose its asylum provisions. Under the bill, judges would have more leeway to reject asylum claims.

Sensenbrenner maintained the restrictions would prevent terrorists from using asylum claims to enter the country. Religious and human rights groups insist it would prevent people fleeing religious and political persecution from finding refuge in the United States.

Lisa Friedman, [phone]

lisa.friedman(at)langnews.com