"The idea of a national identification system with centralized repositories and tracking capabilities has long stirred controversy. The merits of a comprehensive national identification system have been debated in relation to health care, gun control, and immigration proposals [...] In the wake of the tragic events of September 11, 2001, renewed debate has arisen regarding the efficacy and legal implications of a national identification card, a form of identification that would be something more comprehensive than a driver’s license, a Social Security card or a passport. Such debate has centered around finding the appropriate balance between maintaining personal freedom and protecting national security. Proponents contend that a card using 'biometric' surveillance technologies such as electronic retinal scans or fingerprints could help reduce and/or track illegal immigrants or potential terrorists. Conversely, opponents assert that such a card could infringe upon civil liberties with minimal impact on reducing terrorism."

 

[Editor's Note: The 2005 Real ID Act (PDF) 76 KB was signed into law on May 11, 2005 by President George W. Bush. While oponents argue that the Act is a National ID scheme, proponents argue that it is an interstate driver's license standarization. On Jan. 11, 2008, the deadline for all 50 states to comply was extended until 2011, and the Department of Homeland Security released guidelines for its implementation in the 2008 Real ID in its Final Rule Part I (PDF) 4.2 MB; and Part II  (PDF) 5.6 MB]

Jan. 7, 2003 - Congressional Research Service (CRS) 
CRS National Identification Cards Legal Issues (27KB)  

"Clearly we have to make some tough decisions as a country... and one of them ought to be coming up with a much better entry and exit system so that if we're going to let people in for the work that otherwise would not be done, let's have a system that keeps track of them... at least a visa ID, some kind of an entry and exit ID. And, you know, perhaps, although I'm not a big fan of it, we might have to move towards an ID system even for citizens."

Feb. 11, 2003 - Hillary Rodham Clinton, JD 

"A national card would be uniform and difficult to forge or alter. It would reduce the likelihood that someone could, intentionally or not, get lost in the cracks of multiple bureaucracies. The fear of an intrusive government can be addressed by setting criteria for any official who demands to see the card...

The existence of a national card need not change the rules about when ID can properly be demanded. It is true that the card would facilitate the deportation of illegal immigrants... And legal immigrants would actually benefit from a national ID card that could demonstrate their status to government officials."

Oct. 13, 2001 - Alan M. Dershowitz, LLB 

"...we need a national ID card with fingerprint or other form of identification integrated in the ID card which can readily be checked against a national data bank. Is the technology available? Yes. Is the cost of a national ID and data bank system affordable? Yes. It is particularly affordable when compared to the insane proposals to seal our borders with military personnel...

We already have a social security card, drivers license and passport national identification system. So, why not the national ID card and computer data base? Without it, can we win the battle against the infiltration of terrorists? Against illegal immigration? Without it can we effectively enforce the law against the hiring of undocumented workers? The answer is a resounding ‘NO.' My fellow Americans, we must fez up to a little loss of our privacy and embrace the national identification card and data base program."

Oct. 25, 2004 - Sal Osio Sr., JD 

"One overriding point has been forgotten: Criminals don’t obey laws!... Do we believe that people who openly flout our immigration laws will nonetheless respect our ID requirements? Any ID card can be forged; any federal agency or state DMV is susceptible to corruption. Criminals can and will obtain national ID cards, or operate without them."

May 9, 2005 - Ron Paul, MD 

"People who have entered the United States illegally are unlikely to be deterred by the prospect of violating one or two more laws so they can work. The existing market for false identification and the use of identity fraud by illegal aliens will grow if a national ID is used for domestic enforcement of immigration laws, such as by requiring all people to seek federal government approval to work... The false identification system created by and for illegal immigrants could be used by terrorists to evade the identification-based security systems we have in this country. The use of identification as a national security tool, or as an immigration law enforcement tool, is a minefield of difficult issues that require a great deal of study."

May 8, 2007 - Jim Harper, JD 

"Not only will a national ID not weed out illegal immigrants, it will make matters worse. Here’s why. For less than $300, an illegal alien can buy a social security card and a birth certificate. Under the Real ID program, these documents can then be used to obtain a legitimate ID card issued by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Suddenly, an illegal alien is supplied by the government with a certification of legitimacy. It will be an illegal immigrants dream!"

May 14, 2007 - Irvin Baxter 

"A national ID system... promises to salve the most pressing problem of the hour. This year, a national ID system will fight terrorism; in calmer times, it promised to make health care affordable, borders secure, illegal immigrants tractable, or deadbeat dads traceable. As always, however, the case for a national ID system is bolstered by airy claims and little by way of proof of the efficacy of such systems... Proponents promise that a national ID system would be of assistance in tracking the movements of criminals, but to do so would require ubiquitous checking of national IDs, making the national ID card, in essence, an internal passport... A system of ID challenge, inevitably, rests on the individual judgments of police to decide who 'looks suspicious' enough to challenge for ID, opening a new avenue for racial profiling."

July 1, 2002 - Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF)