New York City Council approves ID card bill

[David York]

http://www.myfoxny.com/story/25881441/c ... -card-bill

City Council approves ID card bill

Posted: Jun 26, 2014 4:26 PM EDT
Updated: Jun 26, 2014 6:44 PM EDT
By LIZ DAHLEM, Fox 5 News Reporter

http://www.myfoxny.com/clip/10307966/nyc-id-cards

NEW YORK (MYFOXNY) -
New York City officials are making a push for every New Yorker to sign up for an identity card. Supporters of legislation passed by the City Council say this is really going to help undocumented immigrants. It will allow them to open bank accounts, cash a check, sign a lease, or see a doctor.

The NYC Identity Card Program is moving forward. An estimated 500,000 illegal immigrants will now have access to a secure ID.

Ester Sanchez, a mother of three, says the ID card would allow her to get inside her children's school and make it easier for them to see a doctor.

Carlos Menchaca, chair of the Immigration Committee for the City Council, says this new form of ID will help all New Yorkers.

"We heard from the transgender community who can't present their gender on an ID that came from the government, we heard from seniors that didn't want to go to the DMV, had issues getting their documents together," he said.

Applicants will have to show proof they're a city resident through a lease or utility bill. The ID will cost about $10, but that fee will be waived for those who can't afford it.

Mayor Bill de Blasio set aside $8 million in the budget to create the program.

But some New Yorkers said they are skeptical it could be abused.

Supporters of the law say the municipal ID program will be secure in a way that deters fraud.

"The NYPD is going to be accepting this so they're making sure they can detect fraud and solve the issues," Menchaca said.

This ID card is going to be optional, not a requirement. It will also let people have access to the city's cultural institutions such as museums and libraries. Distribution still has to be worked out, but people can start applying at the beginning of next year.


Comments in the post

Dan X. · Follow · Top Commenter · Ridgewood, New York
Great, I thought Illegally immigrating to America was a felony crime. Why are we facilitating the lives of these illegal immigrants instead of deporting them? Bill De Blasio set aside $8 Million in the budget to create this program? Hey Bill De Blasio, why don't you set that $8 million in the budget to help legal NYC residents instead?

Joe DiBiasi · Follow · Top Commenter · Bayside, New York
If the political winds ever change having an organized list of where to find NY's undocumented immigrants could make it much easier for those looking to arrest or deport them,
Reply · Like · Follow Post · about an hour ago