Fergie's Tech Blog

Proposed National Database Raises Privacy Concerns

Brian Prince writes on eWeek:

Experts point out the security risks of the nationwide database of workers' personal information that would be required under an immigration bill expanding the Employee Eligibility Verification System.

The mammoth database system that would be needed under an immigration bill currently being discussed by Congress has security experts thinking about procedures, privacy and protection.

The Secure Borders, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Reform Act of 2007 [.pdf] is a controversial compromise reached by a bipartisan group of senators. The proposed legislation already has many opponents across party lines, and has been criticized by groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union. Proponents, however, argue that the bill includes vital changes to immigration law in the United States.

One of the provisions in the sweeping bill has given some IT policy and security analysts pause—the expansion of the EEVS (Employee Eligibility Verification System). Employers would be required to submit identifying information provided by all members of the American work force—roughly 150 million people, the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates— to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Data from prospective employees would be submitted as well. The data would be checked against database records, and anyone who failed that check would essentially be out of a job.

posted by Fergie @ 5/22/2007 08:19:00 PM