Hidden in the details of the nation’s sweeping new counterterrorism law was a last-minute provision slipped in by Sen. Christopher Bond (R-MO) that could require all foreigners to use identification cards to enter the United States.

According to the Washington Times, while the new law does not force the Justice Department to implement an ID card system, it does urge Justice to do so and authorizes the department to spend whatever it takes to get the job done. According to Sen. Bond, Attorney General John Ashcroft will have final say on how best to design the card using the latest identification technologies. Sen. Bond, however, believes the card should at least contain a foreigner’s digitized fingerprint.

Meanwhile, in the Senate, a bill sponsored by Sens. Jon Kyl (R-AZ) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) would force the Justice Department to adopt the ID card system for foreign visitors. The bill also calls for the creation of a centralized computer database of all visa holders and visitors to this country. Biometric data, such as fingerprint verification and iris recognition, would also be collected from all foreigners seeking entrance to the United States.

While we support the broader goals of the counterterrorism package, provisions such as these go too far in denying legitimate foreign visitors reasonable access to our country. Clearly, there is a need to close immigration loopholes long-exploited by enemies of America. However, our troubled economy still relies heavily on foreign tourism and international business travel, which could be greatly affected by these new travel barriers. More important, if we go so far as to deny foreign visitors some of the fundamental liberties that we hold so dear, it will only be a matter of time before we unleash provisions such as these on ourselves as well as invite retaliation from even friendly governments.

We must continue to be that which some in this world hate us for: a shining example of democracy and freedom.