The Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon have undoubtedly put the United States on high alert. Possible means of prevention for future terrorist attacks have been discussed, including one plan that involves requiring all U.S. citizens and visitors to carry special identification cards. However, these cards, which include microchips containing fingerprints and unique data, are likely to lead to increased discrimination.
With these cards, Americans and foreigners would be subject to random identification checks. There is no possible way to make these checks objectively. It is inevitable that a decision to confirm someone’s identification will be based primarily on outward appearance. This is unfair and exactly the type of action this country has tried to steer itself away from for the past 40 years.
Furthermore, if a person is walking down a public street, doing nothing illegal, why should he or she be subject to a random examination? If no wrongdoing occurred, a person does not deserve the harassment and humiliation of an unwarranted search. The terrorist attacks should not give the government license to violate individual rights.
This initiative will not prevent future terrorist attacks. The terrorists involved in Sept. 11 were living legally in the United States. It is unlikely the use of these identification cards would have stopped the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
Since the attacks, the country has attempted to avoid targeting people of particular ethnicities as possible terrorist suspects. These identification cards would bring the country right back to where it started after Sept. 11. Few people would feel safe, and too many would feel violated.
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