E-verify IS a threat to liberty!

Rebuttal By

Tom DeWeese

I don’t know Peter Gadiel, and he apparently knows absolutely nothing about me. But that hasn’t stopped him from attacking me in a recent article (Influential Conservative is Dangerously Wrong on E-Verify). His article makes some outrageous statements about me, even to presume he can tell you what motives are in my head when I take a position.

Recently, I released an article entitled “E-Verify and the Emerging Surveillance State.” My opposition to E-Verify is that it is a major tool in the creation of a surveillance society; will give the government the power to decide who works and who doesn’t in America; will be a great burden on both worker and business; and will do absolutely nothing to protect us from illegal immigration or terrorism. In short, E-Verify represents another false promise of security and a greater threat to our freedom.

In an article attacking my position, Mr. Gadiel contends that E-Verify has absolutely nothing to do with the creation of an international ID system. Moreover, he claims I offer no solutions to the illegal alien situation and implies that I am (at least secretly) in favor of the illegal invasion that is devastating our nation.

He opens his article against me by claiming that my opposition to E-Verify is “supposedly a libertarian perspective,” and indicates that is a bad thing. Though I never once used the term libertarian, I understand his reference to the libertarian position, in which some advocate open borders. He mistakenly places my opposition to government surveillance in the same category as open-border libertarians. As I said earlier, he obviously knows nothing about my position on this issue, though my record is very clear. I have written in a series of article over the past decade (available to all on www.americanpolicy.org). All that is necessary to curb illegal immigration is for the federal government to enforce immigration laws already on the books. Secure the border; enforce visas; end free health care, free education and welfare to illegals; allow local jurisdictions to arrest illegals; and stop the merry-go-round game of deporting illegals only to have them return a few weeks later. Above all, when one commits a violent crime, prosecute and put them behind American bars.

It has been widely proven that when a jurisdiction decides to crack down on illegals they leave. Prince William County, Virginia is a perfect example of this, and so is the state of Arizona. Admittedly the Arizona law includes E-Verify, but it is not the reason the invasion of illegals has drastically dropped off in Arizona.

Rather than take these obvious and workable steps, forcing the federal government to do its proper job to enforce its laws, certain parts of the conservative movement, including Peter Gadiel, have opted instead to change the American judicial system from “innocent until proven guilty,” to “guilty until proven innocent.” Worse, the E-Verify system now forces those who started their own business to be the front lines in the battle against illegal immigration and terrorism, instead of government. We already made them the chief tax collector. Enough is enough.

Concerning E-Verify’s active role in the creation of an international surveillance system, Mr. Gadiel simply says it’s not true. And he says E-Verify does not create a new data base for use in surveillance. Perhaps he should learn more about the international surveillance network that is being created with the cooperation of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). What most Americans don’t know is that the blue print for Real ID did not originate in the United States, but in the backrooms of a United Nations organization called the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).That organization is tasked with the goal of creating a one-size fits all international identification system using massive data banks that contain individual biometric information on nearly everyone in the world.

It is interesting to note that the DHS ordered specific changes to the E-Verify system to include biometric information and the use of enhanced photographs that measure and analyze the unique identifiable characteristics of a person’s face into a numeric code, usable and in compliance with these international databases. That identifying facial number code is read by a computer and can track your face by cameras worldwide. In addition, DHS has expanded the number of data bases used by E-Verify to check on employees. Obviously DHS understands that E-Verify is to be used in that international system.

I have studied this surveillance system and the intention to create an international ID system for more than two decades. I have heard every lie and smooth talker assuring Americans there is no international surveillance system. There is and it is growing daily. E-Verify is a central tool for its implementation. With each addition to the ability of government to watch our every move, freedom dies from another cut.

I understand that Mr. Gadiel lost a son in the 911 attacks and that is his motivation to take action to secure the borders. I am sorry for his tragic loss, but I will not sit back and allow his desire for revenge to destroy our nation’s freedom.

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Tom DeWeese
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Tom DeWeese is President of the American Policy Center and National Grassroots Coordinator for CFACT (Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow) working to help local activists organize into Freedom Pods (www.CFACT.org). He is also the author of three books, including Now Tell Me I Was Wrong, ERASE, and Sustainable: the WAR on Free Enterprise, Private Property, and Individuals.