Dreier Introduces “Bonner Plan”
Legislation Will Enhance Border Security and Combat Social Security Identity Fraud

September 21, 2004

WASHINGTON, DC- Congressman David Dreier (R-San Dimas), Chairman of the House Rules Committee, will introduce legislation today that will enhance border security and introduce updated identity technology to the Social Security card system. The Illegal Immigrant Enforcement and Social Security Protection Act of 2004 has the support of Congressman Silvestre Reyes (D-TX), himself a former border patrol agent, and T.J. Bonner, President of the National Border Patrol Council. Dreier is referring to the legislation as the “Bonner Plan” as it was inspired by the suggestion of Mr. Bonner to enhance the identification technology used on social security cards.

“We know why most people illegally cross our borders - the draw of our strong economy and the promise for a better life,” Dreier said. “This legislation gets to the root of that problem by adding tougher enforcement penalties to current law, which already prohibits American businesses from employing illegal immigrants, and implementing new technology within the Social Security system that will make identity fraud far more difficult to perpetrate. The explosion in counterfeit identity documents and employers who are unable or unwilling to establish the authenticity of documents presented by job applicants severely undermines our national security. The Bonner Plan is a critical step in bringing much needed security measures to the process of hiring new workers.”

The Bonner Plan will require the Social Security Administration (SSA) to issue Social Security Cards that contain a photo of the cardholder on the card, as well as an encrypted electronic identification strip, unique to that individual. The new technology will allow employers to access a new Employment Eligibility database created by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for information relating to the applicant’s true identity and legal status. Additionally, the Bonner Plan includes a $50,000 penalty for employers that knowingly hire illegal immigrants who do not pass the scrutiny of the Employment Eligibility database. It also makes the hiring of a known illegal worker a federal offense punishable by up to 5 years in prison per count.

U.S. citizens and legal immigrants will be required to furnish the card only when seeking new employment in the United States. They are not in any way required to carry the card at all times, as would be required by a national identification card. In fact, the legislation contains specific language stating that it is the policy of the U.S. that the Social Security card not be used as a national identification card. The bill authorizes the sums necessary to the SSA and the DHS to carry out the activities required in the Act, as well as $50 million to hire new border patrol agents and $100 million to the DHS to enforce compliance by employers and prosecute violations of the Act.

In a statement issued today, Mr. Bonner praised the bipartisan legislation. “The Illegal Immigration Enforcement and Social Security Protection Act of 2004 will finally fulfill the promise of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 by establishing fair and enforceable employer sanctions provisions, eliminating the incentive for millions of people to cross our borders illegally in search of work. This will enable the Border Patrol to concentrate its scarce resources on its primary mission of stopping terrorists, weapons of mass destruction, and criminals from entering the United States.”

Dreier expressed his hope that the Bonner Plan will demonstrate that the door of opportunity is not closed, but it must be entered legally and legitimately. In a statement on the floor of the House regarding the bill he said, “I do not stand here today to tell the rest of the world that we intend to limit opportunities for the American dream to be fulfilled. But if foreign nationals wish to come to the United States, they must, as Governor Schwarzenegger said, ‘play by the rules,' and we must make clear that there will be no economic opportunity for anyone who enters this country illegally.”

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