Images obtained by Fox News Digital have provided new information on the planned ID for illegal immigrants under the Biden administration as officials work to track the influx of migrants being released into the United States.
Last year, Fox News and other news outlets reported on the ICE Secure Docket Card program. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) program aims to “modernize various forms of documentation provided to provisionally released noncitizens through a consistent, verifiable, secure card.”
An unidentified official, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, describes the computer-generated card as having space for a photo, a QR code, personal information, and security details. It also features the ICE logo on the top left corner.
The purpose of this card is to provide a means for migrants who illegally entered the country and were not immediately deported to check in and schedule meetings with ICE. Additionally, the card, with its advanced security features, will help personnel quickly verify the identity of individuals and check for any deportation orders.
According to an ICE spokesperson, the program is still in its developmental stage and may expand after a successful pilot. However, the program has drawn concerns from conservatives, who view it as part of the administration’s efforts to welcome, rather than remove, individuals who entered the country unlawfully.
RJ Hauman, president of the National Immigration Center for Enforcement and a visiting adviser at the Heritage Foundation, calls the program “anti-enforcement” and argues that ICE should be focused on detaining and removing those who entered the country illegally instead of providing them with “social services.”
The program has also raised questions and concerns among lawmakers on the House Oversight Committee. In a letter to ICE, they expressed concerns about the card potentially containing sensitive information and creating security risks. They also argued that the use of taxpayer funds to maintain and upload information into the system is another issue to consider.
ICE has refuted these concerns, stating that the card will not serve as a form of federal identification, and will only be utilized by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agencies.
The ICE Secure Docket Card program is one of the many measures that the Biden administration has implemented to address the ongoing crisis at the border. In recent weeks, there has been an increase in the number of migrants entering the country, overwhelming the border officials and leading to street releases of migrants in some areas.
Critics of the administration’s policies have pointed to these developments as evidence of their failure to secure the border. However, the administration maintains that it is working to address the issue and has called on Congress to provide more funding and reform the immigration system.
On Wednesday, thousands of predominantly Venezuelan migrants surged into Eagle Pass, Texas, gathering under a bridge in the hopes of being processed and released into the country.
As the situation at the border continues to escalate, the ICE Secure Docket Card program remains a contentious topic, with different perspectives on its effectiveness and potential consequences.
