The National Identity Card: A Critical Analysis of Its Implementation

This essay examines the concept of a national identity card, specifically focusing on its implementation in the United States. It begins by outlining the potential benefits, such as improved security, the ability to tackle illegal immigration, enhanced access to public services, and the convenience of carrying a single identification card. However, it also critically assesses the disadvantages, including the high cost of administration, potential infringements on privacy, the risk of misuse, and the potential restriction of citizen freedoms. The essay then delves into the REAL ID Act, discussing its phased implementation and its role in strengthening national security through standardized identification. It highlights the historical context, noting the pre-9/11 security landscape, and suggests that a comprehensive national identity system with robust border security measures might have prevented the 2001 terrorist attacks. The essay concludes by referencing key sources to support its arguments.

Running head: NATIONAL IDENTITY CARD
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NATIONAL IDENTITY CARD
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1NATIONAL IDENTITY CARD
The US government issues the national identity card as the identification of the citizens in
the United States. The citizen of the US can use the passport or passport card as their identity
proof whenever they are asked to show their identity.
It is possible to safeguard the information, as the government should provide strict
instruction to access such advanced national identity card only to some specified agencies, such
as relating healthcare. The medical records or mental health issues can be encoded in that card as
it can help to save the individual in an emergency. However, the past criminal records of an
individual may be manipulated into trouble in any public place for such past criminal activity,
and it will be shameful for him if he tries to forget or overcome that history.
There are several proposal advantages of such a national identity card. Firstly, it will help
tackle any illegal immigration, unlawful work in this territory if this card has been made
mandatory for its citizen. Secondly, it can be able to gather information about any person, which
will be helpful in any medical emergency (McCrone, & Bechhofer, 2015). Thirdly, it will be
beneficial to enhance the access the public services and prevent forgery in an election. Lastly, it
will be more convenient for people to carry one card rather than various cards.
There will be several disadvantages of such a national identity card that are discussed
here. Firstly, it will be costly for the government to administer this card. Secondly, it may be an
infringement of the privacy of the public. Thirdly, it may be increased such menace for
impostors to obtain the identity of people of general people in the US (Van Berkel, Molina, &
Mukherjee, 2017). Fourthly, there may be a threat of potential abuse of such card. Lastly, it may
restrict the freedom of citizen of this territory.

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The Department of Homeland Security has announced a phased announcement plan of
the REAL ID Act on 20th December 2013. In the framework of the National Security, the
documents such as the license of a driver and identification are one of the vital components
(dhs.gov., 2020). This Act has sanctioned the recommendation of the 9/11 Commission that the
national government has set several principles for the issuance of bases of identification, as an
example, driver’s license. However, this Act has not required the persons to represent their
identification to access such federal facilities.
Before the terrorist attack of 9/11 in the year 2001, the security in the border has not been
seen in the way of national security (Jefferson, 2015). If this system of issuing national identity
card has been issued to the citizens along with the appropriate security in border areas, then it
may have prevented such terrorist attack as there is every detail regarding an individual.

3NATIONAL IDENTITY CARD
References
dhs.gov. (2020). REAL ID. Retrieved 19 February 2020, from https://www.dhs.gov/real-id
Jefferson, K. A. (2015). What's in a Name: A Comparative Analysis of the United States Real ID
Act and the United Kingdom's National Identity Scheme. NAVAL POSTGRADUATE
SCHOOL MONTEREY CA.
McCrone, D., & Bechhofer, F. (2015). Understanding national identity. Cambridge University
Press.
Van Berkel, L., Molina, L. E., & Mukherjee, S. (2017). Gender asymmetry in the construction of
American national identity. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 41(3), 352-367.