We have what used to be known as The People's Access Security Service Card (PASS), issued to U.S. citizens only. Probably sounded to Stalinist or 1984-ish so they changed the name to United States Passport Card. It's a National ID card used for domestic travel and between Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative member states. (emphasis mine)
For international travel a paper passport is still issued but nowadays it has a bio-metrics chip embedded in it which probably contains everything your new ID card will have. There is also an option to download a mobile app, its designed for a traveller to answer all the questions normally asked at the border to help cut down on processing time. But it doesn't replace the Passport or Passport card. The way I see it, paper, plastic or mobile app I dont think it matters really. It's all in place just to keep the honest people honest. Criminals can always find a weakness and a way in.
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