Immigrant Advocates Support Mayor’s ID Plan

By KIRAN SURY

Community leaders and immigrant advocates on Tuesday expressed support for Mayor De Blasio’s proposed municipal ID card program that would grant undocumented New Yorkers easier access to city services.

“It’s time for New York City to really be the melting pot,” said NYCLU head Donna Lieberman. She said the program would reinforce NYC executive order 41, which was issued to ensure all New Yorkers had access to municipal services regardless of immigration status.

“No one should have to feel less than other people because they don’t have documentation,” said Aracely Cruz, an undocumented mother of two children who has been living in New York for over 10 years. She gave a prepared statement in Spanish in which she said that an official ID card would reduce her fears of being deported.

Brittny Saunders of the Center for Popular Democracy said that the card would also help the homeless and low-income elderly. It would help them with eligibility for government programs and when dealing with the police, she said. The Center also released a report titled “Who We Are” that reviews other municipal ID programs across the country and offers suggestions for New York.

City Councilman Carlos Menchaca said that there would be a public hearing next month before legislation is drafted.