Illegal Immigration – Cure worse than the problem?

Saw this over on C-Net

What’s all the fuss with the Real ID Act about?

President Bush is expected to sign an $82 billion military spending bill soon that will, in part, create electronically readable, federally approved ID cards for Americans. The House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved the package–which includes the Real ID Act–on Thursday.

What does that mean for me?

Starting three years from now, if you live or work in the United States, you’ll need a federally approved ID card to travel on an airplane, open a bank account, collect Social Security payments, or take advantage of nearly any government service. Practically speaking, your driver’s license likely will have to be reissued to meet federal standards.

This is going to make it much more difficult for people who have fled to the US for work or to try to make a life for themselves. And any comparisons with the old USSR’s “Internal Passports” is strictly coincidental.

I can understand and support the need to find those who are living in the United States with the sole intent of causing harm to us. But surely there must be a better way for us to do this than to create a mandatory National ID.

There’s more information about the Real-ID legislation on this Del.icio.us site.