Nathan Deal: “we are here today because on September 11, 2001, 19 men, all of whom either entered our country illegally, overstayed…”

“we are here today because on September 11, 2001, 19 men, all of whom either entered our country illegally, overstayed their visas or obtained fraudulent visas, boarded four airplanes and used them as bombs to kill thousands of our citizens. The primary identification document that allowed them to board those airplanes were State drivers' licenses. Nothing in this bill would prevent those hijackers from using those same drivers' licenses to board those same airplanes and to repeat the events of 9/ 11. If we do everything else to tighten our security and do not close this loophole, we have intentionally ignored the event that brings us to this day. Some will say let us deal with it next year. I ask, Why not now? Why not simply be honest with the American people and tell them we just do not have the political will to take those drivers' licenses out of the hands of would-be terrorists? Do we think terrorists are going to play fair? Do we think terrorists do not know they will continue to be able to obtain drivers' licenses without proving lawful entry into this country? Instead of getting tough on terrorists, this bill actually has some built-in rewards. Yes, if you illegally enter this country, we cannot deport you based on the same evidence that would have denied your entry into this country if you asked us for permission to come in. What is the reverse logic of that?”