71% Favor Requiring Foreign Visitors to Carry Universal ID Card

[GaryC 7]

Any lawful or permanent residents should carry their green card at all times.

uh, they are already legally required to do so?

The difference is this. Other than a green card for a LPR the average person couldn't decipher if the person is legal or not with just a passport. The universal ID card would remove the doubt. I am not if favor of adding an additional layer of red tape, I want to replace the current outdated system of identifying aliens with a universal card linked to a national database. When someone comes in they are entered into the system and given a card. If they change status a new or updated card is issued when the database changes. When the person leaves they surrender the card at the border and the database is updated. This database would be accessible by any law enforcement official so even Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrain in bumfukc Mississippi could find the status of someone they had a doubt about. Has anyone noticed that when you leave this country you do not go through immigration? In every other country I have been to you have to have your passport checked before you get on the plane to leave. We may require those coming in to go through inspection but we have no idea who is leaving and if they are doing it on time. In short we have no idea who is here. I want the control both coming in and going out. I say we should scrap the whole antiquated system and make a new modern one that can track and identify aliens.

[Marilyn. 340]

Any lawful or permanent residents should carry their green card at all times.

uh, they are already legally required to do so?

The difference is this. Other than a green card for a LPR the average person couldn't decipher if the person is legal or not with just a passport. The universal ID card would remove the doubt. I am not if favor of adding an additional layer of red tape, I want to replace the current outdated system of identifying aliens with a universal card linked to a national database. When someone comes in they are entered into the system and given a card. If they change status a new or updated card is issued when the database changes. When the person leaves they surrender the card at the border and the database is updated. This database would be accessible by any law enforcement official so even Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrain in bumfukc Mississippi could find the status of someone they had a doubt about. Has anyone noticed that when you leave this country you do not go through immigration? In every other country I have been to you have to have your passport checked before you get on the plane to leave. We may require those coming in to go through inspection but we have no idea who is leaving and if they are doing it on time. In short we have no idea who is here. I want the control both coming in and going out. I say we should scrap the whole antiquated system and make a new modern one that can track and identify aliens.

you mean there are people who can tell if a person is illegal or not just by looking at them

you still haven't answered the question of what to do with the people who are found not carrying this new ID card?? and how do we get people to carry around this card?

Edited August 19, 2007 by MarilynP

[Caladan 19]

Not a crime but it should be required by anyone who is not a citizen. Especially anyone who is visiting.

And if they don't then how do you tell if they are visiting or resident?

What is the basis for pursuing 'further investigations' on whether the person is here legally or not?

Or a citizen. You can't tell citizens just by looking! So either citizens will have to carry national IDs to prove they're not here illegally, or the new defense when the cop pulls someone over will to claim that they're a citizen and the cop has no right to see their papers. Since the cop won't have the right to demand papers from a citizen (like the thread about the gun owners rightfully protecting their rights noted), they'll have to let them go.

[mawilson 2,133]

Indeed. Given that when you apply for AOS you are applying for an ID card (AKA Permanent Resident Card) anyway, adding another card in the interim period while you are waiting would seem rather un-necessary. Not to mention adding another layer of bureaucracy and a questionable use of taxpayers money.

Actually, it would be quite nice to have some official ID card in the interim period.

I was lucky because I managed to get a NYS driver's licence while my K-1 was still valid,

but many states don't issue driver's licenses to K-1s.

[Heracles 417]

Not a crime but it should be required by anyone who is not a citizen. Especially anyone who is visiting.

And if they don't then how do you tell if they are visiting or resident?

What is the basis for pursuing 'further investigations' on whether the person is here legally or not?

Hence why the country needs a national ID card or some sort of indication on one's drivers license about their status.

[Marilyn. 340]

Not a crime but it should be required by anyone who is not a citizen. Especially anyone who is visiting.

And if they don't then how do you tell if they are visiting or resident?

What is the basis for pursuing 'further investigations' on whether the person is here legally or not?

Or a citizen. You can't tell citizens just by looking! So either citizens will have to carry national IDs to prove they're not here illegally, or the new defense when the cop pulls someone over will to claim that they're a citizen and the cop has no right to see their papers. Since the cop won't have the right to demand papers from a citizen (like the thread about the gun owners rightfully protecting their rights noted), they'll have to let them go.

i think the article is talking about a universal ID card taht everyone would have to carry. citizens or otherwise...

[Caladan 19]

And you are supposed to carry your identification if you're a foreign national. We could put it on a little card but we would STILL have the problem of what Sheriff Coltrane was supposed to do with the person once he found out that they were illegal.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Indeed. How would you tell whether someone who isn't carrying the ID is a citizen, LPR, tourist or illegal immigrant?

I think the answer is obvious - the 'universal card' would essentially be a precursor to a national ID card scheme for everyone.

[Caladan 19]

Not a crime but it should be required by anyone who is not a citizen. Especially anyone who is visiting.

And if they don't then how do you tell if they are visiting or resident?

What is the basis for pursuing 'further investigations' on whether the person is here legally or not?

Or a citizen. You can't tell citizens just by looking! So either citizens will have to carry national IDs to prove they're not here illegally, or the new defense when the cop pulls someone over will to claim that they're a citizen and the cop has no right to see their papers. Since the cop won't have the right to demand papers from a citizen (like the thread about the gun owners rightfully protecting their rights noted), they'll have to let them go.

i think the article is talking about a universal ID card taht everyone would have to carry. citizens or otherwise...

####### that for a bag of chips. Illegal immigration is a problem, but not such a big one that I have to carry proof of citizenship at all times in my own damn country.

[GaryC 7]

Any lawful or permanent residents should carry their green card at all times.

uh, they are already legally required to do so?

The difference is this. Other than a green card for a LPR the average person couldn't decipher if the person is legal or not with just a passport. The universal ID card would remove the doubt. I am not if favor of adding an additional layer of red tape, I want to replace the current outdated system of identifying aliens with a universal card linked to a national database. When someone comes in they are entered into the system and given a card. If they change status a new or updated card is issued when the database changes. When the person leaves they surrender the card at the border and the database is updated. This database would be accessible by any law enforcement official so even Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrain in bumfukc Mississippi could find the status of someone they had a doubt about. Has anyone noticed that when you leave this country you do not go through immigration? In every other country I have been to you have to have your passport checked before you get on the plane to leave. We may require those coming in to go through inspection but we have no idea who is leaving and if they are doing it on time. In short we have no idea who is here. I want the control both coming in and going out. I say we should scrap the whole antiquated system and make a new modern one that can track and identify aliens.

you mean there are people who can tell if a person is illegal or not just by looking at them

you still haven't answered the question of what to do with the people who are found not carrying this new ID card??

They would be detained until the database could be checked. The database would have their picture and fingerprints in it. It could all be done at a computer terminal in a matter of seconds. Scan the finger, do a search and the database would come back with the status. It would be a law that any non-USC carry the card. If they don't then it's their own fault if they are inconvenienced. And before you ask, I would provide a federal budget to every law enforcement agency along with training to make this thing work.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Indeed. How would you tell whether someone who isn't carrying the ID is a citizen, LPR, tourist or illegal immigrant?

I think the answer is obvious - the 'universal card' would essentially be a precursor to a national ID card scheme for everyone.

What's the angst about national ID cards? I don't get it.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Not a crime but it should be required by anyone who is not a citizen. Especially anyone who is visiting.

And if they don't then how do you tell if they are visiting or resident?

What is the basis for pursuing 'further investigations' on whether the person is here legally or not?

Hence why the country needs a national ID card or some sort of indication on one's drivers license about their status.

Hence you didn't (at all) answer the question.

[Marilyn. 340]

so now cops are going to have to worry about illegals... wouldn't their time be better spent tracking down murderers and the like....?? and keeping our streets safe etc??

[GaryC 7]

Not a crime but it should be required by anyone who is not a citizen. Especially anyone who is visiting.

And if they don't then how do you tell if they are visiting or resident?

What is the basis for pursuing 'further investigations' on whether the person is here legally or not?

Hence why the country needs a national ID card or some sort of indication on one's drivers license about their status.

Hence you didn't (at all) answer the question.

I want a national ID card. I didn't for most of my life but the problem of 10 - 20 million illegals and the threat of terrorists have changed my mind. I already must carry an ID to drive. I already have a SSN. This isn't much different. Just unify the whole thing. Identify yourself with a thumb print and be done with it.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Indeed. How would you tell whether someone who isn't carrying the ID is a citizen, LPR, tourist or illegal immigrant?

I think the answer is obvious - the 'universal card' would essentially be a precursor to a national ID card scheme for everyone.

What's the angst about national ID cards? I don't get it.

In a nutshell - personal privacy. Putting too much personal information in a single place, usually only accessible to outsourced private companies working on behalf of the government. I take it you've gotten one of those "we regret to inform you that a computer that may or may not have contained your personal information has been compromised" letters since you been here....? I've had 3 so far.