The UK has introduced a national identity card plan for some foreign nationals in an effort to combat terrorism and identity fraud. The foreign nationals who will first be affected by the plan are foreign students and the spouses of permanent residents who apply for visa renewals. The plan will be expected thereafter.
The plan has been controversial in the UK. The national identity cards are expected to store biometric data and information about the cardholder’s nationality and work eligibility, which opponents claim are a violation of civil rights.
A similar plan had been considered in the US following 9/11 but never materialized. It will be interesting to see what happens as the UK plan kicks off.
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