City identification card

In the United States, a city (or municipal) identification card is a form of identification card issued by a municipality, such as a city, rather than a state or federal government. Under federal law, cities may issue their own identification cards as they see fit, and do not have to consider the immigration or criminal status of an applicant before doing so.^[1] New Haven, Connecticut issued the first municipal identification cards in the United States, the Elm City Resident Card, in 2007.^[2] On January 15, 2009, the city/county of San Francisco launched the SF City ID Card, a municipal identification card program modeled after New Haven's.^[3] Other cities that issue identification cards include Asbury Park, New Jersey,^[4] and Washington, D.C. (DC One Card).^[5] In Mercer County, New Jersey, a community ID card is being issued by a local non profit organization with the endorsement of various law enforcement agencies.

United States

Arizona

Phoenix, Arizona (2016)

On August 31, 2016 the city council of Phoenix, Arizona voted 5 to 4 to create a city identification card that would be available to undocumented immigrants.^[6] The cards will be available in February 2017.^[7]

California

Los Angeles, California (2012)

On November 8, 2012, the Los Angeles City Council voted 12 to 1 to solicit proposals for a municipal identification card. It will be modeled on the Oakland City ID system.^[8]

Oakland, California (2012)

The city of Oakland, California, has debated a proposed municipal identification system, which would include a debit card function, for all city residents, regardless of immigration status, a move backed by the Oakland City ID Card Coalition.^[9][10] On September 13, 2011, the Oakland City Council decided to wait for a cost and feasibility study to be completed by late October before proceeding, hoping to begin issuing ID cards in 2012, barring any unforeseen circumstances.^[11] This, however, extended into 2012, with the City Council voting in favor of the final portion of the program on October 16, 2012.^[12] The first cards of the program are slated to be issued on February 1^[13]

Richmond, California (2011)

On July 5, 2011, the Richmond city council voted unanimously to issue municipal identification cards to Richmond residents, regardless of immigration status. In a letter to the council urging passage of the measure, a city council member and the mayor argued that "many Richmond residents lack the necessary forms of official identification that are required to access financial institutions, jobs, housing, and protections for the home and workplace. These residents include immigrants, children, students, the homeless, transgender people, the indigent, the disabled, the elderly, runaway youth, and adult survivors of domestic violence."^[14] The program will be administered by a third-party vendor at no cost to the city.^[15]

San Francisco, California (2007)

In November 2007, the board of supervisors of San Francisco voted to issue municipal ID cards to residents of the city, regardless of immigration status.^[16] The cards were officially launched on January 15, 2009.^[3] Proof of identity and of city residence is required.

Connecticut

New Haven, Connecticut (2007)

The Elm City Resident Card is an ID card used in New Haven, Connecticut, in the United States. The card was originally designed to protect the estimated 10,000 to 15,000 illegal immigrants in New Haven^[17] from being robbed or assaulted. All city residents can receive the card, which serves as a form of identification, debit card with a capacity of $150, library card, and a way to pay for parking meters. The cards were first issued in July 2007, and were the first municipal identification cards issued in the United States.^[18] The card costs $5 for children or $10 for adults.^[19]

Illinois

Chicago (2016)

On October 12, 2016, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and then City Clerk Susana Mendoza announced the launch of a Chicago Municipal ID program. City officials expect to issue the first Municipal ID before the end of 2017.^[20]

Michigan

Detroit, Michigan (2016)

On May 17, 2016 the city council of Detroit, Michigan voted in favor of the creation of a municipal identification program for city residents who struggle to otherwise obtain government-issued ID.^[21]

New Jersey

County Level

Hudson County, New Jersey

The county clerk of Hudson County, New Jersey, Barbara A. Netchert, issues identification cards to resident of the county. The cards are available to residents of the county for a fee of ten dollars for adults and five dollars for minors, which is specified by the county as teenagers aged fourteen to sixteen. ^[22]

Mercer County, New Jersey (2011)

Starting in April 2011, the Mercer County Area Community ID Card is being issued with the endorsement of the offices of the Mercer County Sheriff, the Mercer County Prosecutor, and the police departments of several municipalities, including Trenton, Princeton Borough and Princeton Township, West Windsor, Ewing Township and Plainsboro. The card is issued by the non profit Latin American Legal Defense and Education Fund (LALDEF) ^[23] and is accepted by law enforcement agencies, municipal agencies, clinics, hospitals, libraries, social service agencies, and many stores and banks. Although is not an official government ID card, it facilitates access to basic community services to those who are unable to obtain other documents such as immigrants, youth, homeless persons, and those in recovery or re-entry programs.^[24] This card replaces the Trenton and Princeton Community ID cards that were issued in 2009 and 2010.

Monmouth County, New Jersey

The county clerk of Monmouth County, New Jersey, M. Clark French, issues identity cards to residents of the county. The cards are available only to U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents.^[25]

Municipal Level

Asbury Park, New Jersey (2015)

Asbury Park issues an identification card to city residents.^[4] The cards became available August 1, 2015.^[26]

Plainfield, New Jersey (2013)

Starting in November 2013, Plainfield Community ID Cards is being issued with the support of the Plainfield Police Department. This card is being issused by a non-profit group Angels For Action, Inc.^[27] They were trained and mentored by the Latin American Legal Defense and Education Fund (LALDEF) from Mercer County,.^[23] For identification only, the local identity cards do not grant legal residency or the right to work. Approved by the Plainfied City Cooperation, the card is also accepted by law enforcement agencies, municipal agencies, clinics, hospitals, libraries, social service agencies, and many stores and banks. Angels For Action and other local organizations are also in the process trying to encourage the Plainfield City Council to approve a municipal identity ID Card system to supply cards at a larger scale for the growing population of Plainfield. Angels for Actions had also helped mentor and encourage ID Cards for Newark and Roselle.

Roselle, New Jersey (2015)

The city council of Roselle, New Jersey unanimously passed an ordinance that will allow the Borough to launch a community-wide identification card program on October 21, 2015^[28] and began issuing cards on December 14, 2015.

Union City, New Jersey (2017)

The Union City, NJ board of commissioners decided to enact a municipal identification program starting March 1, 2017.^[29]. The program is open to any resident of the city older than 14. The system was, in part, set up to allow residents of the city to gain identification for securing financial services (e.g. bank checking account)^[30].

New York

New York City (2015)

In July 2007, New York City councilman Hiram Monserrate proposed setting up a municipal identity system for New York City residents similar to the New Haven plan.^[31] However, shortly thereafter Monserrate left the Council to the New York State Senate and the proposal was shelved.

On February 10, 2014, in his first State of the City address, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a new plan to create a New York City municipal identification card, named IDNYC, which would be available to all New Yorkers, regardless of immigration status.^[32] While any city resident could obtain a card, the mayor announced it as a way to allow city residents who lack legal immigration status in the United States to access municipal and private services and facilities that require photo identification. The cards also provide additional benefits such as discounts on movie tickets, Broadway shows, sporting events, and YMCA memberships. Additionally, cardholders are able to open a bank account at several financial institutions in New York City.^[33] The cards were first made available on January 12, 2015.^[34]

Washington, D.C. (2014)

As of May 1, 2014,^[35] Washington, D.C. issues the DC One Card to legal residents or visitors of the U.S., though some services may be available only to residents of the District. (Some undocumented immigrants may get the card if they have been issued a state driver's license or state non-driver ID card by one of the states that issues these credentials to illegal immigrants, such as New Mexico, Utah, and Washington; or a school ID card.)^[36] The DC One Card is a consolidated credential designed to give adults and children access to DC government facilities and programs that was designed to help the District consolidate printing ID cards and save money.^[37] The DC One Card is also a building access card for DC government employees. For all public school secondary students and those who request it, the card includes immediate Metro SmarTrip® capability to help them travel.^[38]

References