The federal government should maintain a computerized registry listing all persons physically in the United States or its territories or possessions.

For each person, the registry should include certain basic information, all of which should be factual and extracted or extractable from public records.

This information should minimally include:

• whether or not the person is a citizen
• dates of any changes in citizenship or immigration status
• outlaw or “wanted” status
• dates and places of all border crossings to or from the United States and its possessions.

The National Registry might usefully include a wide range of other information such as status of driving or aircraft piloting privileges.

A discrete alphanumeric identification number should be assigned.

Personal identification data including a digitized photograph and other identifying information, possibly including DNA characteristics, should be included.

Categories of information should be expressly limited to those established by federal legislation, and access should be strictly controlled.

Individuals, after proper identification, should have access to all information in their own record (except possibly certain security information, the existence of which and not the actual content would be disclosed) and the right to seek correction of information deemed erroneous.

Certain information, such as medical history and marriage status, would be maintained only with the individual’s permission and would be accessible only with the individual’s permission; even then, it would be accessible only to approved requestors such as medical providers.