Proposal to Implant RFID Chips in Immigrants

John3 writes "Some people are OK with voluntarily implanting themselves with RFID chips, but how about making RFID implantation mandatory for immigrant and guest workers? VeriChip Corporation chairman Scott Silverman has proposed implanting RFID chips to register workers as they cross the border. According to Silverman, 'We have talked to many people in Washington about using it...' Privacy advocates see this move by VeriChip as a way to introduce their product to Latin America after a lukewarm reception in North America. Would immigrant workers trade their privacy for the opportunity to work in the U.S.? If this type of tracking is enacted, how long before the government decides to start tracking others for various purposes (for example, pedophiles who are released from prison)?"

I think a saw a film about this once...

[Anonymous Coward]

When the migrant's work permit expires, would the RFID chip start glowing [amazon.com]?

This is what happens if you put COWBOYS to office

[unity100]

They start 'branding' people.

Natural, as all they know about the outside world can be summarized as ; 'cows'

Americans. Stand up. It is your freedom on the line next.

Re:wait a second....

[MustardMan]

Right. Because handing someone an ID card with a chip in it is EXACTLY the same as sticking the chip in their neck.

Re:A Cautionary Tale

[mkw87]

You don't have to get chipped, but if you do, you'll get 3 cents off gas.

I think you spelled 'dollars' wrong

Re:A Cautionary Tale

[miskatonic alumnus]

...chips can't be removed by a person trying to claim your dog as their own, and a stray branch in the woods is unlikely to rip the chip off.

Aha! But, your pet might be EATEN by another animal. This is how your favorite poodle can polymorph into a pit bull.

Re:A Cautionary Tale

[webjonesin]

(*initial reaction to the proposal*)
Oh, hell no!

(*upon further thought*)
mandatory chipping for the following:
- politicians
- lawyers
and last but not least
- a certain chairman working for VeriChip Corp.

when they outlaw tinfoil...

[Thud457]

I really hope the alien implants don't interfere with these and prematurely trigger the explosive charge.

That would be bad.

And messy.

OMG PONIES!!!!1!~!!one

[MrNougat]

Wait, this isn't April Fools' Day?

Re:What's good for the goose ...

[GileadGreene]

Now there is a good idea! After all, if the legislators in question aren't doing anything corrupt they should have nothing to worry about...

Re:Yay!

[modecx]

I bet Mr. Verichip is kicking himself that his company didn't exist back in the grand old days of slavery. He would have made a killing.

Yeah, his company was doing just fine back in the day.

If I remember correctly, it was called Veri-Brand(tm) back then.

Re:A Cautionary Tale

[Otter Escaping North]

As a Mexican person who prays for never needing to go to the USA (I just went once to Disney World and Universal Studios), I say, fuck the USA government.

How ironic, I'm an American who knows he'll never need to go to Mexico, and I'm always saying "fuck the Mexican government."

And, to make things better, I am a Mexican who knows that one day he is going to have to return to Mexico and I am always saying "Fuck the Mexican government".

I'm a Canadian...what the fuck is going on down there?

Re:Yay!

[adolfojp]

-1 Dumbass

Re:A Cautionary Tale

[Roduku]

Holy Crap! I hadn't thought of that.

Now terrorists will be eating immigrants to get their ID chips.

Re:A Cautionary Tale

[corbettw]

I'm a Canadian...what the fuck is going on down there?

Maybe we should borrow Canadian border guards to man the US-Mexico border. You never hear about Americans sneaking over to Canada, they must be doing something right!

Re:Yay!

[Red Flayer]

Duh. Special RFID-chip-tipped darts fired from a rifle. I'd bet the Minutemen are willing to help out.

Towers, sniper rifles, maybe even remotely-fired guns accessible from any web browser -- pay $20 for an hour of tagging immigrants, could probably cover the cost of the program.

If not enough people will pay for it, then you pay people to do it -- which'll help replace the jobs those durn Mexicans are taking from us 'Murricans.

Re:Yay!

[BiggyP]

Easy, these texans who'll be sat in front of their computers watching goings on with the new bordercams [slashdot.org] will be able aim and fire an RFID dart with the aid of a flash movie on the page.

Re:Yay!

[JimmehAH]

Tag the immigrant - win an iPod!

Re:Yay!

[Anonymous Coward]

It would be much easier for US government to implant US newborns. Illegal immigrants are too sneaky to catch and chip in. US government could distinguish US people much much easier. Scan, beep, and you are a citizen! Scan, nothing and you are an illegal immigrant. Problem solved. BTW that was sarcasm... this makes me sick.

Re:A Cautionary Tale

[susano_otter]

Quick note: Since neither livestock, nor house pets, nor immigrants (other than immigrant-citizens), nor felons, currently have the right (or even, in most cases) to speak up for citizens anyway.

But please, tell us more about this world in which cows and housecats normally speak out against man's inhumanity to man.