Will GOP cave on DACA lead to biometric National ID cards

As expected, the GOP caved to Chuck Schumer’s demand for a DACA fix in exchange for his support of the fourth budget band-aid in the past twelve months—making it possible to reopen the government that never closed.

Of course, Trump and the Trumplicans are claiming victory for bringing down the curtain on their one-act comedy, aka the Government Shutdown. Meanwhile, Chuck Schumer is claiming victory, telling the media that he and Mitch McConnell have “come to an arrangement” for creating a “real pathway” to getting an immigration bill through the Senate.

Having been sent back to the House for a quick vote and then signed by the president, Continuing Resolution #4 under the Trump administration provides financing for the federal government until February 8. If Schumer doesn’t have his DACA fix by then, McConnell will “immediately proceed to the consideration of legislation dealing with DACA.”

According to Trump—who wants a DACA fix almost as bad as Schumer does—a deal will be made “if and only if it’s good for the country.” Most likely, that means amnesty and a pathway to citizenship for illegals wrapped inside a bill that ends “chain migration,” the diversity lottery program, and provides taxpayer funds to build the border wall that Trump said Mexico will pay for.

Sounds pretty good, doesn’t it? Well, as Master Yoda might say, “Not so fast, my young Padawan.”

In a bill that checks off many of Trump’s demands, Rep Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) has introduced a 400-page monstrosity called the Securing America’s Future Act of 2018 (H.R.4760). Encompassing everything from education and the workforce to Homeland Security and the military, the so-called immigration bill contains a tiny little detail about biometric identification that should give pause Constitution-loving Americans—a National ID card that would be required for everyone.

According to former Congressman and current Chairman of Campaign for Liberty, Ron Paul, H.R.4760 gives DACA recipients a 3-year renewable legal status while establishing a mandatory national identification system that would require every American to carry this new card which cable capable of carrying biometric data such as fingerprints and retina scans.

If implemented, this card could be used as a tracking device, and it would be required to hold a job, open a bank account, or get on a plane. Sounds like it’s just a hop, skip, and a jump away from being required in order to buy and sell, doesn’t it?

Paul gives these reasons as to why this would be detrimental to the freedom of every American:

• Allows federal bureaucrats to include biometric identification information on the card, potentially even including fingerprints, retinal scans, or scans of veins on the back of hands, which could easily be used as a tracking device.
• It would be required for all US workers, regardless of place of birth, making it illegal for anyone to hold a job in the US who doesn’t obtain an ID card.
• Requires all employers to purchase an “ID scanner” to verify the ID cards with the federal government. Every time any citizen applies for a job, the government would know—and you can bet it’s only a matter of time until “ID scans” will be required to make routine purchases, as well.

National ID cards of this type have been proposed in the past as part of immigration reform without success. However, in the current political climate it could be successful this time around—especially when you consider how Trump and the GOP have established a reputation of disregarding our Constitutional rights, such as we witnessed recently by the renewal of FISA 702.

We need to ask ourselves: Is it possible that immigration could be used as the next step towards bringing an end to our Constitutional Republic?

One last thought. Paul’s Campaign for Liberty is launching a crusade against this legislation, and he’s started a petition where you can tell your representative to vote NO on H.R.4760. You can add your signature to the petition here.

 

David Leach is the owner of The Strident Conservative, your source for opinion that’s politically incorrect and always “right.” His columns are featured on RedState.com, NOQReport.com, and TheResurgent.com.

His daily radio commentary is nationally syndicated with Salem Radio Network and can be heard on stations across America.

Follow the Strident Conservative on Twitter and Facebook.

Subscribe to receive podcasts of radio commentaries: iTunes | Stitcher | Tune In | RSS