It is estimated that 11.2 million illegal immigrants currently reside in the United States.1 Since the 1980s, our nation has struggled to uphold federal policies to control illegal immigration. Today, unsuccessful reform and broken immigration management systems have failed to create an infrastructure that is sustainable on both federal and state levels.
States can't afford to have undocumented residents. Illegal immigration costs taxpayers about $113 billion a year at the federal, state and local level. Approximately $84.2 billion is absorbed by state and local governments.2 For years, undocumented residents have been taking advantage of programs, services and system vulnerabilities. States can utilize PID to ensure programs and services are administered to those who qualify.
Personal Identification enables each state to create a digitally-managed identification system for all residents. With PID, each state and commonwealth can understand its population base. If states issue a PID credential, an accurate population database of all residents can be easily maintained, allowing states to budget for programs and services to ensure eligible residents receive state services. A PID credential provides law enforcement with a recognizable and secure means of identifying individuals when crossing borders. At the same time, PID provides undocumented residents a uniform and secure credential that can be used to obtain employment, receive services and reside in the United States.
Identifying all residents today will provide a seamless adoption for reform
Sources: 1 Unauthorized Immigrant Population: National and State Trends 2010. PEW Hispanic Center, February 2011. 2 The Fiscal Burden of Illegal Immigration on United States Taxpayers. The Federation for American Immigration Reform, July 2010.
