All foreign nationals from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) who wish to extend their stay in the United Kingdom based on marriage, civil partnership, or their status as a student or a dependant will be issued an identity card.
British citizens over the age of 16 will be eligible to receive a card in 2009.
The Home Office claims that ID cards, which will include the photograph and fingerprints of the card holder, are an "easy and secure way for legal UK residents to prove who they are" and a prevention measure against illegal employment and terrorism threats.
However, leaks of confidential information of British citizens in the past year has raised doubts as to whether the cards will prevent or help identity theft.
A document published by the Border and Immigration Agency in March directly names foreign nationals who are in the country in order to marry or receive higher education as "higher-risk
categories" of people.
No explanation is given as to how non-EEA students, who pay up to £12,000 a year for a University degree, present a threat to national security or job markets.
While some British nationals have voiced their concerns about the scheme, international students have fewer opportunities to express their opinions.
With only seven full-time International Officers in all of the country’s universities, students have virtually no chance to have a say as to how their personal information will be treated.
The Union of Students International Officer, Sajeev Jeganathan, does not like the idea of an identity card scheme as he believes it invades personal privacy.
He said: "The scheme may interrupt the studies of students who may be reluctant to get the card.
"We have to increase international representation in the National Union of Students. In my opinion, every union that has a significant number of international students should have a full-time officer."
Jeganathan thinks the idea of a campaign is an effective measure against the scheme.
"If every student in the United Kingdom, both international and home, thinks it is a bad idea it has got to be done. It is going to be very tough, but there are definitely elements of hope," he added.
The University of Sheffield expressed a more reserved view on the issue of ID cards.
Debora Green, Assistant Director of the Student Services Department at the University of Sheffield, said: "The University does not actively support the introduction of these cards, but will do all it can to support those students required to apply for them.
"We have voiced concerns at every opportunity about the logistics of the scheme, as have Universities UK.
"The application for, and issue of ID cards, is going to create additional work for our staff and students.
"However, the Student Services Department is doing all it can to support and advise students affected to make the experience as straightforward as possible."
Students at Cambridge University have organised a protest for Friday, November 28.
Mina Kasherova
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