Thursday 25 September 2008

UK ID Cards for foreign nationals

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has unveiled the design for the controversial new identity card.

Foreign nationals will be issued the cards, which critics have described as unnecessary, costly and anti-liberty, from November.

People working in airports and other high security jobs will receive them from next year.

Ms Smith used the launch to defend the scheme. She said: "ID cards will help protect against identity fraud, illegal working, reduce the use of multiple identities in organised crime and terrorism, crack down on those trying to abuse positions of trust and make it easier for people to prove they are who they say they are."

But there are fears about the security of personal data after a run of well-publicised government data loss blunders.

Liberty Director Shami Chakrabarti said: "If the card came with loyalty points, we still wouldn't buy it. "Picking on foreigners first is divisive politics; as costly to our race relations as our purses."

Each card will carry a picture and a chip holding the person's name and date of birth, fingerprint record and other biometric data.

They will also detail the holder's visa status and right to work.

From 2011 everyone over the age of 16 applying for a passport will have their details added to a national identity register.

(source: website of yahoonews-UK, Thu. 25/09/2008)

2 comments:

MOSONGA RAPHAEL said...

Since its launch in January 2007, the STRANGERS INTO CITIZENS campaign has been making the case for a one-off regularisation of thousands of undocumented migrants through a "pathway into citizenship".



The measure would enable failed asylum seekers and economic migrants who have lived for many years in Britain and are part of our society to become legitimate, tax-paying citizens. It has been done elsewhere, notably in Spain in 2005, and is part of a comprehensive immigration reform advocated by both Democrats and Republicans in the US.


The measure will benefit the migrants themselves, many of whom are stuck in a dehumanising limbo. But the main beneficiary will be British society. Not only will it lead to a bonanza for the Exchequer in unpaid taxes, but it will shrink the underground economy, and curb further illegal immigration.
Since organising a rally in May 2007, STRANGERS INTO CITIZENS ‘s call has led to the adoption of a regularisation policy by the Liberal-Democrat party, secured the support of dozens of MPs of all parties – including the de – and the endorsement of the new mayor of London, Boris Johnson. The progress of the campaign, complete with links to press coverage, can be read at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strangers_into_Citizens.

On this site, you can read about the campaign’s detailed proposals, read the stories of long-term undocumented migrants, see who supports us, and sign up to receive updates.
We are currently launching an appeal to finance the next stage of the campaign, which will include another rally on 4 May next year, following a Mass for Migrant Workers at Westminster Cathedral. We need large donations from organisations as well as individual contributions.
We have the policy, the people, the energy, the inspiration and the will. But we need funds to succeed in restoring the dignity of thousands – to the benefit of Britain’s society and economy.

(source: www.strangersintocitizens.org.uk, 05/10/2008)

MOSONGA RAPHAEL said...

Since its launch in January 2007, the STRANGERS INTO CITIZENS campaign has been making the case for a one-off regularisation of thousands of undocumented migrants through a "pathway into citizenship".

The measure would enable failed asylum seekers and economic migrants who have lived for many years in Britain and are part of our society to become legitimate, tax-paying citizens. It has been done elsewhere, notably in Spain in 2005, and is part of a comprehensive immigration reform advocated by both Democrats and Republicans in the US.

The measure will benefit the migrants themselves, many of whom are stuck in a dehumanising limbo. But the main beneficiary will be British society. Not only will it lead to a bonanza for the Exchequer in unpaid taxes, but it will shrink the underground economy, and curb further illegal immigration.
Since organising a rally in May 2007, STRANGERS INTO CITIZENS ‘s call has led to the adoption of a regularisation policy by the Liberal-Democrat party, secured the support of dozens of MPs of all parties – including the de – and the endorsement of the new mayor of London, Boris Johnson. The progress of the campaign, complete with links to press coverage, can be read at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strangers_into_Citizens.

On this site, you can read about the campaign’s detailed proposals, read the stories of long-term undocumented migrants, see who supports us, and sign up to receive updates.
We are currently launching an appeal to finance the next stage of the campaign, which will include another rally on 4 May next year, following a Mass for Migrant Workers at Westminster Cathedral. We need large donations from organisations as well as individual contributions.
We have the policy, the people, the energy, the inspiration and the will. But we need funds to succeed in restoring the dignity of thousands – to the benefit of Britain’s society and economy.