This is a tired argument. If you want better governance, it's a political problem, not a tech problem. "Papers Please" exists today due to a lack of law enforcement oversight and current statute [1]. A properly functioning national ID system and infrastructure doesn't change that.

The databases already exist [2] [3] [4] [5]; because you do not have the physical card does not mean you don't live this reality today. On the contrary, you already don't have the privacy you think you have, without any of the quality of life improvements a national ID card would provide.

> CBP has successfully implemented facial biometrics into the entry processes at all international airports, known as Simplified Arrival, and into the exit processes at 49 airport locations. CBP also expanded facial biometrics at 39 seaports and all pedestrian lanes at both Southwest Border and the Northern Border ports of entry.

> To date, CBP has processed more than 490 million travelers using biometric facial comparison technology and prevented more than 1,900 impostors from entry to the U.S.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stop_and_identify_statutes

[2] https://www.dhs.gov/biometrics

[3] https://www.tsa.gov/biometrics-technology/evaluating-facial-...

[4] https://www.cbp.gov/travel/biometrics/airports

[5] https://www.dhs.gov/real-id/real-id-faqs