And Now: The No Work List
May 23rd, 2007Sure.
Via: cnet:
The U.S. Congress is poised to create a set of massive new government databases that all employers must use to investigate the immigration status of current and future employees or face stiff penalties.
The so-called Employment Eligibility Verification System would be established as part of a bill that senators began debating on Monday, a procedure that is likely to continue through June and would represent the most extensive rewrite of immigration and visa laws in a generation. Because anyone who fails a database check would be out of a job, the proposed database already has drawn comparisons with the “no-fly list” and is being criticized by civil libertarians and business groups.
All employers–at least 7 million, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce–would be required to verify identity documents provided by both existing employees and potential hires, the legislation says. The data, including Social Security numbers, would be provided to Homeland Security, on penalty of perjury, and the government databases would provide a work authorization confirmation within three business days.
There is no privacy requirement that the federal government delete the information after work authorization is given or denied. Employers would be required to keep all the documentation in paper or electronic form for seven years “and make it available for inspection by officers of the Department of Homeland Security” and the Department of Labor. It would also open up the IRS’ databases of confidential taxpayer information to Homeland Security and its contractors.
Just watched “The Lives of Others” last week. This is step one for an American Stasi. Of course, at first, the authorities will claim those “dissenters” got on the list by mistake, or that they don’t know how they got on the list. Eventually, just the threat of being “no work listed” will be well enough understood to keep all but the most determined or the most reckless quiet.
Just like the “Jew laws” of Germany. And if they ram the Real ID through then “your papers please” will become a reality. But, of course, we’re already there, just not so neat and tidy.
I hate pulling Biblical references into the mix but when you see this kind of crap going on its hard not to imagine a day where they wouldn’t allow you to do anything without your identifying “mark”.