New Haven’s ID Cards for Undocumented Starts Conversation in the Twin Cities
Friday, July 27, 2007 at 10:02 am
- 4 Comments
While the rest of the nation grapples with how to manage the undocumented immigrant population, the city of New Haven, Conn., did the unheard-of: It issued identification cards for them.
An estimated 15,000 undocumented immigrants flocked to city locations this week to obtain the new ID cards, which can be used at libraries, parks, beaches and citywide services.
New Haven officials said the idea is to bring the undocumented population out of the shadows — to put these immigrants on an equal footing with fellow residents in terms of access to public safety and banking services. Besides mentioning city residency, the card doesn’t indicate immigration status.
The rest of the city’s 100,000 residents also are urged to obtain the new ID card.
Hence, localities across the nation are taking notes. Both Minneapolis and St. Paul mayors said Thursday there are no similar plans in the Twin Cities.
But immigrant advocates who recently spoke with the local mayors said they are open to discussing solutions for identifying undocumented immigrants.
“What New Haven did is a community solution, not a top-down model,” said Gloria Contreras Edin, executive director of Centro Legale, an immigration services agency in St. Paul. “Such conversation is long overdue here.”
According to her, Minneapolis Mayor R. T. Rybak and the police chief expressed their concern about undocumented immigrants not reporting crimes because they fear deportation.
“From a public policy standpoint, public safety should be given a priority. And that’s what New Haven recognized,” Edin said.
Undocumented immigrants can flash the New Haven ID card for police, if asked for identification.
Immigration experts believe that more localities, frustrated with the recent failure of Congress to pass a comprehensive immigration law, are taking matters into their own hands.
4 Comments
Comment posted July 27, 2007 @ 6:03 pm
New Haven’s ID Cards http://www.wtnh.com/…
Hundreds apply for New Haven ID cards
“A number of immigrants showed up from out of town today hoping to apply for the card, Mayor John Destefano said those who could not prove their residency with the proper paperwork were “politely” turned away.”
Verifying residency is one thing. Verifying actual identity is another thing. They may be wanted criminals in their country of origin or another state. Who is to know?
Comment posted July 28, 2007 @ 11:03 am
The Washington Times Knave of the Week, July 28, 2007 http://www.washingto…
Knave: New Haven, Conn. Mayor John DeStefano, who launched a program to give ID cards to illegal aliens in his city.
The city of New Haven is trying to tackle the problem of illegal immigration. But instead of enforcing the law, Mr. DeStefano is offering sanctuary to the 10,000 to 15,000 illegal aliens living in the state’s second-largest city. The identification cards are available to any resident, regardless of immigration status, and will give the cardholder access to public services like beaches and libraries. It can also be used as a debit card at several dozen downtown stores or for city parking meters. Some banks also accept the ID to open an account. On Tuesday, when the program officially began, 250 people, presumably illegal aliens, came out to get their IDs.
New Haven officials claim that the impetus behind this program, which passed the council on a 25-1 vote, was public safety; illegal aliens are targets for muggings because they are forced to keep large amounts of cash on their person as opposed to in a bank. Strange how New Haven’s criminals know how to pick out the illegals in a crowd – it seems the city’s real problem is racial profiling.
For his backwards approach to dealing with illegal immigration, John DeStefano is the Knave of the week.
Comment posted July 27, 2007 @ 1:03 pm
New Haven's ID Cards http://www.wtnh.com/…
Hundreds apply for New Haven ID cards
“A number of immigrants showed up from out of town today hoping to apply for the card, Mayor John Destefano said those who could not prove their residency with the proper paperwork were “politely” turned away.”
Verifying residency is one thing. Verifying actual identity is another thing. They may be wanted criminals in their country of origin or another state. Who is to know?
Comment posted July 28, 2007 @ 6:03 am
The Washington Times Knave of the Week, July 28, 2007 http://www.washingto…
Knave: New Haven, Conn. Mayor John DeStefano, who launched a program to give ID cards to illegal aliens in his city.
The city of New Haven is trying to tackle the problem of illegal immigration. But instead of enforcing the law, Mr. DeStefano is offering sanctuary to the 10,000 to 15,000 illegal aliens living in the state's second-largest city. The identification cards are available to any resident, regardless of immigration status, and will give the cardholder access to public services like beaches and libraries. It can also be used as a debit card at several dozen downtown stores or for city parking meters. Some banks also accept the ID to open an account. On Tuesday, when the program officially began, 250 people, presumably illegal aliens, came out to get their IDs.
New Haven officials claim that the impetus behind this program, which passed the council on a 25-1 vote, was public safety; illegal aliens are targets for muggings because they are forced to keep large amounts of cash on their person as opposed to in a bank. Strange how New Haven's criminals know how to pick out the illegals in a crowd – it seems the city's real problem is racial profiling.
For his backwards approach to dealing with illegal immigration, John DeStefano is the Knave of the week.
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