William F. Smith: “We simply should not put the private interests of a few financial institutions ahead of the public good and the security…”

“We simply should not put the private interests of a few financial institutions ahead of the public good and the security of the American people. This amendment would allow matricula cards, which are primarily used by illegal immigrants, to be accepted in the United States. Giving illegal immigrants an identification card encourages them to come to the United States and, of course, makes it easier for them to stay. That is why the FBI has testified against the use of these matricula cards and why they pose a grave threat to the security of the United States. How regrettable that at the very time when we should discourage illegal immigration and deter those who would enter our country to do us harm, we would consider an amendment to undermine the PATRIOT Act and give terrorists and others the opportunity to exploit our laws for their own evil purposes. As a former chairman of the Subcommittee on Immigration, I recommend that my colleagues oppose this amendment and put the interests of Americans first.”