Photo ID cards proposed for workers at U.S. ports

WASHINGTON – Port workers would carry a tamperproof photo ID card with all their fingerprints under a security plan made public by the Homeland Security Department.

The administration said Thursday that it will soon ask outside contractors to bid on handling the entire project.

Under the plan, the agency would collect biographic information including the fingerprints, name, birth date, address and phone number; alien registration number, if applicable; photo, employer and job title.

“All individuals with unescorted access to secure areas of port facilities … would be required to have” a card, the Homeland Security Department said in a statement. That includes longshoremen, port employees, truck drivers and rail workers.

Before issuing a card, the government would conduct a background check against a worker, including a review of criminal history records, terrorist watch lists, legal immigration status and warrants.

Cargo industry officials have worried that a federal ID system aimed at boosting security could cost many port workers their jobs – leading to bottlenecks in the flow of goods.