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We need a comprehensive national biometric database

Hmmmm...

Biometrics are automated methods of recognizing a person based on a physiological or behavioral characteristic. Among the features measured are; face, fingerprints, hand geometry, handwriting, iris, retinal, vein, and voice.

Biometrics

Based on this info and considering he had a valid birth certificate, although it was not his, unless they took these "measurements" at birth, how could one determine that he is not who he says he is? If they took these "measurements" at the time he received additional documentation based on the valid birth certificate, then it would just confirm that he is who the birth certificate says he is. So, while a biometric system may work in most cases for those entering legally under a visa of some type, it would not work for those that enter illegally under the radar and then purchase false ID such as this guy did. If I am somehow wrong on this, please clarify how biometrics would have prevented this incident.

It needs to include every U.S. citizen and every non-citizen given a visa to visit or reside here. Yes it would have to be done from birth and at time of visa application, and for the initial set-up would have to be done for everyone now living in the country. It would probably need to be DNA-based ultimately, to avoid changes in fingerprints, irises, etc. that invariably occur between birth and adulthood/old age.

It wouldnt' be cheap, would need security back-ups, like duplicate records being held at the county level (county of birth and any counties of subsequent legal residence) as well as federal, to protect from nefarious or inept meddling with the database by governement officials at either level. It has all kinds of issues, but we better hurry up and get cracking on how to overcome them all. Not only is our country overrun with illegal aliens, but there is absolutely no way to prevent them from voting (nor to prevent actual citizens from voting multiple times). There is no way to deport people on the spot, because if you don't give them the opportunity to go to court and try to prove they are actually citizens, then you'd risk instant deportations of real citizens who really would be able to provide proof of their citizenship if given the opportunity.

As extensive as the potential problems with a national biometric database are, I really believe that they pale in comparison to the problems posed by not having one. There are no benefits to citizenship whatsoever, if nobody can promptly prove who is or isn't one, and act accordingly.

If they entered illegally under the radar, then their biometric record wouldn't be in the database. When checked, no amount of paper records -- forged, other people's, etc. -- would do a bit of good. Either your biometric record is in the database, or you're expelled forthwith. And employers would no longer have the excuse that "I had no way of knowing his documents were fake". When somebody applies for a job, their biometrics must match one in the database, or no job.