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Biometric ID cards in U.K.

PHOTO: AFP

British Home Secretary Jacqui Smith holds a biometric ID card in London on Thursday.

LONDON: The British government on Thursday took the first step towards introducing bio-metric identity cards for immigrants from India and other non-European Union countries with Home Secretary Jacqui Smith unveiling the design of the supposedly “forgery-proof” card.

From November, all non-EU nationals will be required to carry the photo-ID card which, controversially, will also carry two fingerprints of the individual. Those who do not have a card will not be allowed to extend their stay in the country. The scheme is aimed at preventing “abuse” of the immigration system, according to the government. Its main targets are said to be foreign students and those on marriage or civil partnership visa.

“We want to be able to prevent those here illegally from benefiting from the privileges of Britain,” said Ms. Smith. “We all want to see our borders more secure — and human trafficking, organised immigration crime, illegal working and benefit fraud tackled. ID cards for foreign nationals, in locking people to one identity, will deliver in all these areas.”

Originally, the idea was to make ID cards compulsory for all British citizens but following widespread opposition, including from a majority of Labour MPs, the government has decided to make a start with non-EU foreign nationals in what has been described as a “softening up” exercise before it is eventually extended to everyone.

The scheme has been widely criticised for being “too intrusive” , besides costing millions of pounds in taxpayers’ money.

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