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02/24/2014 | Immigrant Rights - Expanding Municipal ID Cards

Municipal IDs: CPD on path to victory for immigrants and vulnerable New Yorkers

New York's Mayor de Blasio used his first State of the City address to announce plans for a new "City ID" program, making identification available to all city residents -- regardless of citizenship status, race, or economic means -- that will be accepted as proof of identity by key institutions throughout the city.


Municipal ID cards are an important step toward raising the quality of life for vulnerable and marginalized residents, including immigrants, and Mayor de Blasio's proposal will make a powerful difference for thousands of New Yorkers. Increasingly, identification requirements gate-keep almost every aspect of daily life – from opening a bank account to gaining hospital admission, from picking up a package at the post office to picking up your children at school.
 

The Center for Popular Democracy has been on the front lines of this initiative to improve quality of life for immigrants and other vulnerable populations. Our recent report, "Who We Are: Municipal ID Cards as a Local Strategy to Promote Belonging and Shared Community Identity," which surveys the results of similar programs in other municipalities, found that municipal ID programs can improve police-community relationships and increase access to social services for vulnerable residents.

"With this announcement, the Mayor and the Council have made a powerful statement about the role of immigrants and other vulnerable populations in our city. Whether born and raised in the five boroughs or recently arrived, a New Yorker is a New Yorker. We all belong to this community, and we are all stronger when everyone can participate fully in city life. The health of our economy and strength of our democracy both turn on our ability to recognize this," said Brittny Saunders, Supervising Attorney for Immigrant Rights & Racial Justice at the Center for Popular Democracy.

Watch a video of CPD’s Brittny Saunders speak about Municipal IDs on NY1 television.

Our report also found that beyond their practical value, the cards hold symbolic importance in creating a sense of shared community and belonging for immigrants and other marginalized individuals. 

With CPD and a diverse coalition of allies working closely with key elected officials, New York is once again at the front lines of progressive change toward creating a more inclusive, fair society.