Donald Trump's presidential transition team is reportedly looking into implementing a "registry" system for immigrants from Muslim majority countries in the United States.
During his campaign, the U.S. president-elect called for a ban on all Muslims entering the country.
He has also said that Muslims inside the country would be required to register in a Muslim database. It drew comparisons with pre-war Nazi Germany.
It's important to note that a registry previously existed in the U.S.
From 2002 through 2011, the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System was applied to 25 countries, all with majority Muslim populations except for North Korea.
The system forced male immigrants from these countries on work or tourist visas to undergo a special registration process, in which their photos, fingerprints and other information were recorded. They were also required to check-in at regular intervals during their stay in the U.S.
From the recent reports, a similar or expanded system could be put into place under Trump's administration.
It seems unlikely that any registry would apply to Muslim-American citizens, as this would be unconstitutional and extremely difficult to justify legally. But, considering Trump appears to be filling his administration with members of the Alternative Right, notoriously associated with Anti-Semitic, sexist, homophobic and Islamophobic rhetoric, there is serious cause for concern.
The prospect of a Muslim registry has, predictably, stirred up a reaction on social media.