Is New York City next to give ID cards to illegals?

July 24, 2007


Bill for New York City ID Card to Be Introduced by Councilman


By NINA BERNSTEIN





Identification cards would be made available to all New York City residents — including tens of thousands of illegal immigrants — under a proposal by a City Council member from Queens who was inspired by a pioneering program that begins in New Haven today.





“I would hope that the federal government would not retaliate against the city of New York if we provided for a municipal identification card,” the council member, Hiram Monserrate, said yesterday, referring to a federal immigration raid in New Haven last month two days after that city approved the issuance of municipal cards.





“The city of New York is home to eight million people, many of them immigrants and some of them, frankly, undocumented,” said Mr. Monserrate, who plans to introduce legislation tomorrow to create the ID card. “Some of them have been residents of the city for many years, and to give them a basic ID card that’s valid within the city limits only makes sense for our municipality.”





Mr. Monserrate, a New York-born former city police officer who represents one of the city’s most diverse districts, called the legislation a first step.





Christine C. Quinn, the Council speaker, would not comment on its chances for success in the 51-member Council, a spokeswoman said, adding that the bill would be referred to committee for a full review.





In New Haven, a city of 125,000, the Board of Aldermen overwhelmingly approved the plan to offer the cards, which can be used by immigrants to open bank accounts as well as to gain access to municipal services.





So that the card, known as the Elm City Resident Card, would not become a “scarlet letter” for illegal immigrants, it was designed to appeal to all residents by combining access to pools, libraries and the municipal golf course, and doubling as a parking debit card.





But critics argue that it will entice illegal immigration and undermine border security.





For many city residents, the only state or local government identification now available is a driver’s license or a nondriver ID card. For both, the State Department of Motor Vehicles requires a Social Security card and other documents that prove legal presence in the country.





A municipal ID could encourage immigrants to report crimes to police, Mr. Monserrate said, as well as to request services.

Is New York City next to give ID cards to illegals?
does anyone else see the potential problem with these cards, in that terrorists can obtain them, and use them to their advantage? if people are undocumented, then you have to take them at their word as to who they are. what makes anyone think that an illegal is suddenly going to be honest about anything?
Reply:That's what I heard. Hope for the best.
Reply:Honestly I don't see what the issue is with these cards.They are a great idea if you stop to really consider it.Updated address's,no legality as far as government benefits,can't be used to vote the list goes on.I see more benefit to it than not.
Reply:Most cities already issue library cards and other types of access cards to everyone regardless of immigration status. The NYC proposal is just putting everything on one card, like the New Haven system does. But it's really nothing new.
Reply:I wouldn't be opposed to these identification cards if they were used to find and deport illegal immigrants.
Reply:I hope so.
Reply:These Id cards might be the solution to the illegal immigration problem. First we will know for certain if illegals do really do add to the tax base or overwhelm the social services, schools and such. Second we will be able to get a data base of those who request the Id's and might be able to judge the true number of illegals