On November 24, 2008, the British government began issuing identity cards to foreign nationals in an effort to curb immigration abuse and to strengthen identity protection. The cards were issued pursuant to the Identity Cards Act, which was passed in 2006. The cards contained biometric information, including the cardholder's name, date of birth, nationality, fingerprints and reason for being in the UK. The Conservative and Liberal Democratic parties criticized the program as wasteful and ineffective.

UK coat of arms

Learn more about the ID card program from the JURIST news archive.

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