On Tuesday Immigration Reform got a boost, just as most people thought the plan outlined by Senators Schumer (D- NY) and Graham (R- SC) was off the table for the year.

Majority Leader, Senator  Harry Reid, said he would bring the bill to the floor this year and Speaker Nancy Pelosi agreed to take up the measure after it passed the Senate.  President Obama called five Republican Senators, looking for bi-partisan support for the effort. 

The Senate legislation, yet to be introduced, was outlined in a Washington Post op-ed piece last month; the bill will take necessary steps to secure our borders, provide options for immigrants, and protect our identities. The cornerstone of the plan is an upgraded Social Security Card that includes a biometric to affirm an individual is who they say they are and is eligible to work in the U.S.   Today the Social Security Card is essentially the same technology and design as was introduced in 1936.  An upgraded and modern smart card based design would include a biometric identifier, provide multi-level authentication, and ensure that only individuals to whom the card was issued can use it.

Several lobbying groups are actively attempting to scare the public and create fear over an upgraded Social Security Card by suggesting that such a document would violate privacy rights and allow the government to track citizens.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  Secure biometric card technologies protect personal information and privacy because no one use can masquerade as you.  Because of the biometric identifier, the cardholder must be present and consent to engage in any transaction.  This would effectively bring an end to using false Social Security Numbers to gain employment, a crime under today’s system that is nearly impossible to detect.  The biometric identity provisions would go a long way towards preventing identity theft, as it would prevent another individual from using your personal information.

The Secure ID Coalition firmly supports Senators Schumer and Graham in their effort to protect our Social Security infrastructure and our identities.   Their bill is a critical piece of legislation that is of the utmost importance to protect Americans from identity theft and fraud.  Such a program will go a long way toward eliminating the reason many illegal immigrants come to the U.S. – to illegally hold jobs.  Don’t be fooled by lobbying groups that want to keep the status quo and keep your information at risk.  Having a more secure Social Security Card, similar to the one proposed by the Senators, will not only determine who is eligible to work, but will protect our personal information.  


To read more about Immigration Reform, click through to the Wall Street Journal Article.