Immigration Reform Bill Might Call for Biometric Identification Cards

The Wall Street Journal reports that a mandatory biometric identification card for U.S. citizens and legal residents could be included in a comprehensive immigration reform bill being spearheaded by Senators Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC). The card would contain standard identifying information, but would also contain a biometric identifier, e.g., fingerprints. Schumer has previously proposed such a card to replace E-Verify, the federal electronic employment verification system.

Although the ID card would be required for all workers, including teenagers, implementation would occur in phases, starting with employers in industries that typically rely on illegal immigrant labor. Employers could verify job applicants’ biometric information by acquiring a scanner (costing approximately $800); smaller employers could bring job applicants to a government office for scanning. Workers currently employed would not need to obtain an ID card until they changed jobs.

If an ID card is instituted, the United States would join a host of countries already using biometrics for identification and immigration purposes. For example:

• the United Arab Emirates requires residency visa holders to provide fingerprints;
• the United Kingdom fingerprints all foreign nationals entering the country with biometric UK visas, entry clearances and identity cards; and
• South Africa’s “Events Visa,” which will allow travelers attending the 2010 World Cup access to select African nations in addition to the host country, relies upon biometric verification technology for monitoring travelers’ movements.

Photo credit: Frette