Borders bill

Biometic identity cards will be mandatory for foreign residents

Thursday, 25, Jan 2007 12:00

A new borders and immigration bill will be unveiled by the government today and is expected to make identity cards mandatory for foreign residents in Britain.

All non-EU nationals will be forced to carry a biometric ID card, which the government believes will cut down on illegal workers.

It is thought the bill will make deportation automatic for foreign offenders after their prison sentence ends and will give immigration officers the power of arrest for a range of offences.

More British immigration officers will be based abroad to check passengers' status before they board flights to the UK, based on the system in operation on the Eurostar.

The government argues the measures will allow them to keep better track of who is in Britain and help tackle people trafficking.

But critics say the ID cards could be racially divisive and others claim it is the first step to the introduction of compulsory national identity cards for all.

politics.co.uk bring you the key quotes and reactions.