My March 2008 paper, Franz Kafka’s Solution to Illegal Immigration, detailed the problems with electronic employment verification systems. The paper concludes that successful “internal enforcement” of immigration law requires a national ID—and ultimately a cradle‐​to‐​grave biometric tracking system.


The Department of Homeland Security has started a program called the “I E‐​Verify” campaign for businesses that use the federal background check system on its employees. If you see businesses with “I E‐​Verify” decorations or insignia, they at least indirectly support a national ID system in the United States. This can help you decide whether or not you want to spend your dollars with them.