Mike Sizer isn't new to the illegal immigration debate. He's been to Washington, D.C., to talk to lawmakers before and says he now notices a difference.

"Two years ago, they didn't seem to have nearly the response," said Sizer, chairman of Utahns for Immigration Reform and Enforcement, and one of about 500 immigration activists who traveled to Washington last month to lobby against amnesty and for tighter border security.

"It seems to be more awareness building," said Sizer, who met with representatives of several lawmakers, including Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah.

However, both Bishop and Hatch say they've been aware of the illegal immigration issue for some time and have been working toward comprehensive solutions.

One item on the "Hold Their Feet to the Fire" agenda was the Real ID Act, which would require states to verify immigrants' legal status before granting them drivers' licenses.

The New York Times has reported that a House and Senate conference committee has included the terms in a supplemental appropriations bill for Iraq.

Utah Republican Sen. Bob Bennett, is a member of the conference committee. His spokeswoman, Mary Jane Collipriest, said, "Sen. Bennett believes the issue deserves a broader and separate discussion from that available as part of the bill focused on the war in Iraq."

The American Civil Liberties Union was among groups opposed to the Real ID Act, calling it anti-privacy, anti-asylum and anti-property rights.

Timothy H. Edgar, ACLU policy counsel for national security, said in a statement, "The Real ID Act not only denies the persecuted safe haven here, but it would place undue burdens on legal permanent residents and citizens alike.

Sizer said the Real ID Act is an overdue security measure, since it's been more than three years since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

He said it basically "closes up those loopholes," in states like Utah, where up until this past legislative session, undocumented immigrants could get driver licenses. Now they are eligible for driving privilege cards that can't be used as government identification.

Rep. Bishop, who voted to support the Real ID Act, said it's "a small piece of the puzzle . . .

"It's too difficult to get into this country legally, the red tape is abominable," Bishop said. "At the same time we need to do a better job controlling our borders."

Many of those participating in "Hold Their Feet to the Fire" also participated in the Minuteman Project.

The monthlong project brought some 876 volunteers to monitor a 23-mile stretch of southeast Arizona's border and report any crossers to Border Patrol, organizers said. More than 1,000 people had signed up for the project, but some were let go, and others didn't show up, said Minuteman spokesman Bill Bennett.

The minutemen say from April 1-17, the U.S. Border Patrol apprehended 158 people per day in the Naco corridor — 61 percent of 2004 apprehensions for that time period.

"The project's phenomenal success proved that our borders can be secured," said Chris Simcox, Minuteman Project organizer.

Bennett said plans are in the works to organize another such event, possibly in California, Texas, New Mexico, or on the Canadian border, but "nothing is fully formed."

---

E-mail: dbulkeley@desnews.com