A bipartisan group of U.S. Senators is teaming up with the Obama administration to legalize illegal immigrants and require biometric national ID cards for every American worker, prompting a swift and bipartisan backlash across the nation.

The proposal would unconstitutionally force nearly all Americans to obtain the new “tamper proof” Social Security cards while purporting to require that all employers purchase new $800 ID scanners. It would also provide a “path to citizenship” for the estimated 12 million to 20 million illegal immigrants currently living in America.

Led by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Democratic Senator Charles Schumer of New York, pro-amnesty and national ID legislators have already started the public relations campaign to build support for the “new and improved” version of “comprehensive immigration reform.” In a column published by the Washington Post entitled “The right way to mend immigration,” the two architects provided a superficial glimpse at their agenda. And though the piece is lacking in details, it reveals a dangerous agenda that Americans must oppose in order to maintain freedom.

“Our plan has four pillars: requiring biometric Social Security cards to ensure that illegal workers cannot get jobs; fulfilling and strengthening our commitments on border security and interior enforcement; creating a process for admitting temporary workers; and implementing a tough but fair path to legalization for those already here,” wrote Graham and Schumer. “We would require all U.S. citizens and legal immigrants who want jobs to obtain a high-tech, fraud-proof Social Security card.”

The national ID cards would include a "unique biometric identifier," according to Graham and Schumer. Some of the likely candidates include finger prints, retinal scans, or even the layout of a person’s veins in the top of their hand. Employers who refuse to "swipe the card" would face "stiff fines" and "prison sentences," the Senators noted. “Our blueprint also creates a rational system for admitting lower-skilled workers,” they added.

President Obama promptly signaled his approval and pledged to “act at the earliest possible opportunity.” The White House released a statement noting that the President would do everything in his power to push the issue, and Obama called the Schumer-Graham proposal “a promising, bipartisan framework which can and should be the basis for moving forward."

After the Democrats recent success in ramming through the wildly unpopular health care “reform,” analysts suggested the “momentum” from that victory could help Obama and the Democrats in their efforts to pass a variety of legislation - including immigration “reform.” And despite broad opposition by a majority of Americans, the agenda marches forward.

But the proposals are already meeting fierce resistance from legislators, citizens and non-profit groups. “This so-called comprehensive immigration reform really means amnesty for the 10 to 20 million illegal immigrants in America today,” explained Republican Representative Brian Bilbray of California, the chairman of the House Immigration Reform Caucus. “What part of the word 'illegal' doesn't the president understand?”

Congressman Ron Paul’s Campaign for Liberty sent out an e-mail to supporters vowing to battle the proposal as well, warning that it was a “statist’s dream” and that the immigration issue was being used as “cover” for an even bigger agenda.

“Instead of controlling the border and enforcing the rule of law, these statists want to control you,” explained the group’s president, John Tate. “Allowing our government to have this much ‘prying power’ in our lives will ultimately result in the TOTAL loss of freedom.”

Tate noted in the letter that this sort battle often determines whether a country will remain free or descend into tyranny. “You see, once ‘well-meaning’ government bureaucrats know exactly how we live our lives, it won’t be long until they try to run them,” added Tate. “In fact, it will only be a matter of time until they spend their workdays making sure you and I don’t go anywhere we ‘shouldn’t,’ buy anything we ‘shouldn’t,’ read anything we ‘shouldn’t,’ eat anything we ‘shouldn’t’ or smoke anything we ‘shouldn’t.’”

In the media, commentators have also blasted the proposal. “Graham's [Republican In Name Only] tactics will enable the President to turn illegal aliens into documented Democrats.  And in the process, hand the Federal Government yet another way to monitor and control our lives,” explained Roger Hedgecock in a piece for Human Events. “Opposition to this tyranny will come from all parts of our divided political spectrum,” he predicted.

And indeed, even the liberal American Civil Liberties Union is gearing up to fight the “bipartisan” effort. “It is fundamentally a massive invasion of people's privacy,” said Chris Calabrese, the ACLU’s legislative counsel. “We're not only talking about fingerprinting every American, treating ordinary Americans like criminals in order to work. We're also talking about a card that would quickly spread from work to voting to travel to pretty much every aspect of American life that requires identification.”

These amnesty and biometric national ID proposals are dangerous for a lot of reasons. And this battle is a crucial one. The Social Security cards will quickly go from being required to work — which is bad enough itself — to being needed for everything imaginable, from health care to everyday purchases. But the problem is not a lack of biometric ID cards for the serfs; it is the wide open Southern border and the unconstitutional incentives encouraging illegal immigration.

Legalizing the tens of millions of illegal immigrants will harm America on several fronts. Not only does it send a loud message that the rule of law means nothing (except if it furthers statist aims), it will also fundamentally alter the voting dynamics of America. The true solution to the illegal immigration crisis is to stop providing perks like welfare to law breakers, and to properly police the border and defend the states from invasion. 

Citizens must unite to defeat this effort. If Obama and his allies like Senator Graham manage to force this monstrosity on the American people, the last remaining semblances of freedom will be in critical danger. Americans already said no to amnesty under former President George W. Bush. Why would adding an unconstitutional national ID scheme with biometric data make it any more desirable? This is not the “change” people voted for, and it must be opposed.

Photo of Senators Schumer (left) and Graham: AP Images

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Time of Truth, Lowly rated comment [Show]

Mr, Lowly rated comment [Show]

Brittanicus said:

The dark cloud of illegal immigration As foreign nationals have more children, they need more government entitlements, legalizing them will propel our federal deficits into hundreds of billions of dollars. President Obama won't get any kind of amnesty passed as the majority of Americans who don't know about the major impact of illegal immigration. They will surely know about it by the end of any public debates, through TV, unbiased media or radio awareness. We want birthright citizenship for legal residents only, not a contradiction to the law for freed slaves? We want E-Verify permanent and for very worker, even for those who have been employed for 20 years. We want to heavily fine those employ them, with business asset confiscation and even prison. No CEO, executive should be immune from incarceration, if they defy the PEOPLE'S LAWS?. We want our borders secure with the National Guard deployed and armed against drug smugglers, criminals and insurgents. Our US Border Patrol is under-funded, undermanned and will be victims of narcotic incursions in the growing war. The only people who want them here are the real left wing Democrats and Latinos, so they can keep the Liberals in power and Republicans for cut throat labor. It’s NOT going to happen because the rest of us will fight it, specifically now with upwards to 15 million Americans seeking work.

April 02, 2010

Mrs., Lowly rated comment [Show]

Estoban said:

Legal Vs Lawbreaking America generously allows a million LEGAL IMMIGRANTS in each year. We are a target for the scofflaws of all nations that come as ILLEGAL ALIENS, such as the Russian Mafia, Salvadoran MS-13 and the 9/11 terrorists. Most LEGAL IMMIGRANTS and ILLEGAL ALIENS come from Mexico. In the last 15 years millions of legal immigrants from Mexico have followed their dream to America. They respect our laws, culture, freedom, opportunity and people. They have gladly submitted to extensive criminal background checks and health checks. They have paid $1,000s in fees, proven financial responsibility, agreed to not be a financial burden on our nation, learned English and waited patiently to become citizens of the U.S. and pledge their allegiance to our nation. They are honest, have integrity and good character and are welcome additions to our community. During the same time millions more have come from Mexico illegally to make more money. They have overstayed visas and stolen across our borders like sneak thieves, disrespecting our laws, culture and citizens. They are anarchists, further breaking our laws by using stolen Social Security numbers, fraudulent identity documents, driving without valid licenses or insurance, lying on I-9 forms and taking American jobs in an unholy alliance with criminal employers. They suck services and tax dollars from our economy and could care less about the very real and very extensive economic damage they have caused to American workers through lost jobs and reduced wages. They are dishonest with poor integrity and tarnished character. They have proven themselves to be unworthy of the most valuable citizenship in the world.

April 02, 2010

Delaware Bob said:

... "...“path to citizenship” for the estimated 12 million to 20 million illegal immigrants currently living in America." This is EXACTLY what we DO NOT want! AMNESTY for 20 million illegal aliens. I agree that we need real immigration reform! Let's start by ending this birth-right citizenship for illegal aliens. Let's stop teaching these illegal alien children and stop them from getting welfare, food stamps and public housing at taxpayers expense! Let's get some real reform that will end FREE healthcare for illegal aliens in this Country. Let's get a VERY STIFF fine for entering this Country illegally and overstaying a VISA! Yes, let's start with this reform, and then pass a law that EVERY state use E-Verify in ALL businesses and social services. Let's charge every illegal alien a $5,000 fine if we have to depot them. Yes, how’s that for starters? What gives these illegal aliens the right to demonstrate on American soil and demand amnesty? Yes, what? Illegal aliens have NO RIGHT to demand anything in this Country. Get them back to their own Country where they have EVERY RIGHT to demand anything they want.

April 02, 2010

Pamela Mills said:

... Illegals should have no rights - other than the right to being deported. Babies born to a mother here illegally should NOT be granted citizenship. There should be NO reward for having broken our laws by coming here illegally! Down with amnesty - and Lindsay and Schumer...and Obama!

April 02, 2010

Same old people, Lowly rated comment [Show]

A tamper-proof social security card is a must, Lowly rated comment [Show]

LibertyOnly said:

Egads!! None of you have a concept what freedom is. Becoming a prisoner of our own country with biometric data - are you fricken' insane?? That is why the right left paradigm is false. You need to obey the d**n laws that already exist. Become a U.S. citizen the legal way. Giving up our freedom so you can have a little job security? Asinine. To hell with bipartisanship - it doesn't exist. They are one and the same. Big, BIG, & BIGGER GOVERNMENT!!! Those who give up freedom for a little safety, deserve neither. Thomas Jefferson

April 03, 2010

Lee Gonzales said:

Emma,MoW and Grace Shallow arguments my friends, shallow. The "most interesting man in the world" would rate you as a very boring person; one who repeats what he hears in the lame-stream media. Give it a break, my friends, give it a break. Read this very dynamic and very interesting article, my friends and stop being boring: http://www.shopjbs.org/index.php/tna/reprints/heading-for-home-or-amnesty-reprint.html For a 50 cents plus shipping of course, you too can learn and enjoy being an informed patriot.Order extra copies to pass along to your equally boring friends so that they too can wash off the hackneyed cliches that blind their eyes from the truth. My friends, join those who have experienced the refreshing taste of TRUTH and quite making fools of yourselves at this brillant and intellectually refreshing website. If any of you are running for local office or even national office, use the reprint "Heading for Home or Amnesty " as part of your campaign portfolio.I know I am.

April 03, 2010

Carlton Corbin said:

American another Unconstutional matter.How can we belive whats on the card when all in congress has lied to us and the president has lied about his birth and his education?????

April 04, 2010 | url

sos4usa said:

They are costing us our livestyles, and now our freedom? DEPORT!!! Time for mass deportations, and then the job market will look up for Americans. The Mexicans want political pull here while maintaining dual citizenship so they can go back home for the holidays and look like a hero to their poor relatives and friends who depend on their remittances to improve their lifestyle, but like any parasite, it will sooner or later kill its host, by making it too weak to fight. This isn't about racism, this is about economic survival. Mexicans love their country and are proud to be Mexicans. Then, go live in Mexico. The richest man in the world is Mexican. Tax his wealth and create a better country standard of living. Maybe stop the drug wars and legalize the sale of marijuana and hemp products.Just get off our friggin back you leeches!!

April 05, 2010 | url

Doremus Jessup said:

... Employers who refuse to "swipe the card" would face "stiff fines" and "prison sentences," So here we go again making criminals out of people via congresscritter statute. Reminds me of the "assault" weapon ban about fifteen years ago whereby, overnight, if you owned a rifle with a particular stock design/shape/color, you were made into an outlaw. I'd rather be an outlaw WITHOUT a biometric gubermint ID than be on Chuckie Schumer's list. I shook his hand once and it was a limp fish. YUCK!!

April 05, 2010

ponomo said:

... Chuckie Schumer and a few of his "in kind homies" need deportation.

April 05, 2010

Thomas Paine said:

The Two headed monster Just a month ago, McCain and Leiberman co-sponsored the unconstitutional Enemy Beligerant Bill now going through the Senate. Here again the parties have joined together to advance the policy of the NWO. Sorry A-holes, we are awake now! The Ron Paul Revolution is underway. The NWO will fail!

April 05, 2010

Thumper said:

666 Doesn't anyone else feel the parallel we're drawing to from Revelation chapter 13 15 And it was given unto him to give breath to it, even to the image to the breast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as should not worship the image of the beast should be killed. 16 And he causeth all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free and the bond, that there be given them a mark on their right hand, or upon their forehead; 17 and that no man should be able to buy or to sell, save he that hath the mark, even the name of the beast or the number of his name. 18 Here is wisdom. He that hath understanding, let him count the number of the beast; for it is the number of a man: and his number is Six hundred and sixty and six.

April 05, 2010

Phil said:

Where was the biometric ID when Obama sneaked across the border? Funny that BO and his minions wish to implement biometric ID and legalize the current batch of illegal aliens. Where were the biometric ID's when BO sneaked over the fence? That's when we needed them. This is all just posturing to get more illegals in the tank to vote in more democrats, to bad the democrats aren't democratic in theology anymore.

April 06, 2010

You are alredy watched by Big Brother, Lowly rated comment [Show]

enough said:

missing the point..... emma Just because our privacy is violated multiple times a day by govt, google,and others doesn't mean we should be okay with it. Instead of making your ridiculous suggestions about people logging off, you should log off and familiarize yourself with the Unites States Constitution and the Bill of Rights. After your eyes have been opened you can redirect your misplaced frustration at the criminals in government and not at the freedom loving, law abiding, and completely fed up, productive sector of society.

April 06, 2010

William said:

Biometric Bull This is nothing more than control. Let them try. They WILL set off widespread insurrection in this country. If this is to remain a Republic then we will have to fight for it, again. If this country wants a war with itself then this is the way to get it done.

April 06, 2010

concerened citizen said:

... I know people have many varried oppinions and that they are entitled to them. Mine is simply this, The government makes changes all the time, but usually the really big changes that actually affect the way we live an run this country have been staggered through the century's. I truly belive there is a reason for this. Think about it. Every time a law is passed that 90% of the populace is opposed to, but passes anyway, people are outraged. Yet within no more than a year or two, if you ask them about it or try to get people involved with protesting a new law thats trying to be passed they will look at you, shrug their shoulders, and say, It's the way it is....what can you do? Well, it seem's we forget that we do have a choice. If the same people who sit and complain about evey law that is passed but then turns around and say's no when you ask if they voted on those very laws, then I guess in a few years we can all sit around complaining about the tyranny and oppression we'll be living under. I think once people reach that point where they truly believe that its the way it is an nothing can be done about it, we then have willingly conceded full and total control and authority to the government.

April 06, 2010

Tina said:

... Aren't these the same people who fought National Voter ID cards because, they said, it would prevent minority voters from voting? How do they propose to collect this highly personal information without violating rights? Or perhaps that's just not a concern of theirs...

April 07, 2010

LeChat said:

The enemy is us What needs to be done is to de-elect people like Schumer and Graham. Social Security card verification can be done right now without biometric ID cards. This kind of ID will open all kinds of doors for abuse.

April 07, 2010

doug said:

... emma..what you said just isn't true...every keystroke is not logged unless someone infected your comp with a keylogger...goog does store searches by ip addresses but only for 9 months they are then deleted...and they do that to tweek their algorithm...And you can live a perfectly normal life without a credit card.. I have. We are more than capable of securing the border. Israel has done it. I don't need to give up my freedom. And I wouldn't anyway given the choice. It is freedom not privacy at issue, a government given this power WILL misuse it eventually. Remember the backs of SS cards..not to be used for identification...ho ho ho.

April 07, 2010

George P. Burdell said:

Entitlements are the problem. Closing the border would only treat a symptom of the root problem, the entitlements. First, it is the entitlements that have this country bankrupt. While we could feasibly pay back the 13 trillion dollar nation debt, it is the 70+ trillion dollars of unfunded, future entitlements that we can not ever hope to pay, at any tax rate or rate of economic growth. In addition, it is the entitlements that make it feasible for illegal immigrants to come to this country. If you get rid of the entitlements, you kill two birds with one stone; plus, you do not have to waste money on a fence that the illegals will find a way around, under, over, or through. Now, I am not saying that people cashing social security checks today are just SOL. Nor I am saying that we should throw little kids and welfare moms out in the cold. But we have to start transitioning the nation off these programs, the sooner the better, as these programs are failures, since they are broke and will lead to the bankruptcy of this country if they are continued.

April 07, 2010

'mellicanpigdog said:

Poor Camel Thank you to commentor William...the battle over amnesty will indeed cause a civil war in America. As a former resident of New Jersey, I can assure you that my ultra lib friends are pit bull redneck on this issue. Just this past Friday my friend related how he must alter his work schedule so he can drive his 12 year old daughter to school now... so she may avoid the stares, kissy noises, butt pinches, and breast hefting of the local Hispanobarbarian horde.

April 08, 2010

Dave said:

... watch as we have a currency crisis that demonetizes the dollar,then the government will have a convenient excuse to turn these ID cards into cashless purchase cards that are credited with e-money. Soon,you'll go to the store and have to swipe your card for anything,including fuel purchases. Want to chop down your neighbors tree next saturday for $300.?,sorry,no cash,you have to swipe your cards together for him to pay you,only now we have a 75% tax rate... It is coming real soon and it will mean slavery.

April 08, 2010

Jason said:

... Lindsey Graham is a treacherous, big government, liberty hating senator. Lindsey Graham is the axis of evil of the Republican Party.

April 08, 2010 | url

bert lindsey said:

... ON ENTITLEMENTS: Social Security is bankrupt because the fund that the money goes to, has NEVER only been used to pay the benefits...it has ALWAYS been systematically raided to fund general governmental obligations..If the money that has historically been paid into the fund NOT been used for OTHER purposes, Social Security would Not Be Bankrupt today.

April 08, 2010

Some one who believes in the Constitution said:

... So why is Graham allowed to stay in the Rep Party-the party of supposedly small govt? For pete's sake get some gumption and revoke his membership! At best he's a Democrat at worst -- well I keep that to myself at this point. Schumer and the Dems well what do you expect?

April 08, 2010

Gene Kernan said:

Private Citizen SS#'s are NOT "required to work", and can't be. They (and the cards upon which they are emblazoned) "are the property of the SSA, and must be returned upon request". 20 C.F.R. 404.103(d).

April 08, 2010 | url

Dusty Reed said:

November vote, then repeal of Obummers votes... NOVEMBER! - PINK SLIP Party City, County, State, Federal, Presidential FIRE ALL INCUMBENTS Then we can begin the process of repealing bad law, prosecuting EX-miscreants in office. Then we can pass lifetime term limits, ONE time, ONE elected term... Tenure in office corrupts and that has to stop. Fire the reason for high taxes; Politicians

April 08, 2010

Marc said:

... F this SH*T. So this is when I go off the grid -- completely and forever. Id rather live in the wild and forest for slugs in rotten tree trunks and roast salamanders before I opt for a Biometric ID.

April 08, 2010

Marc said:

Remember remember... Remember remember... the 5th of November

April 08, 2010

gph said:

... This is not about immigration. This is about using immigration as an excuse to keep tabs on all of us. And those of you who blame Obama are missing the point. Voting GOP next time will not stop this. Don't fall for that. GWB had 8 years in office to fix the immigration problem. Did he? Did he stop abortion rights? Of course not. These little carrots they dangle in front of you are to keep you in line. Stop being suckers. Both parties are corrupt and are more than willing to march us into a Police State. Vote them all out.

April 08, 2010

MattyD said:

I Like Illegal Aliens, Especially Mexicans They embody the values that most Americans have lost. Family, Religion and Work Ethic. Americans who find themselves competing with mexicans for menial jobs should get their heads out of their @$$e$. As earlier posters have noted, America is an entitlement/ welfare state. There is where the problem lies.

April 08, 2010

Michael said:

Let's count the cards...... In order from my birth, we have my birth document along with a SSN. Later at 16, I get a drivers licence. After 20 years of naval service, I have a DD214 and a military retired ID card. I now have a TWIC that my job now requires along with a civilian DOD ID card. Can someone please explain to me how many more ID cards I need to prove that I am who I say I am? Or is this just another attempt at bigger govt control?

April 09, 2010