Nov 21, 2007 8:10 pm US/Pacific
SF To Issue ID Cards For Undocumented Immigrants
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS 5 / AP / BCN) ―
City lawmakers have given final approval to a law making San Francisco the nation's largest city to issue identification cards to undocumented immigrants.
The Board of Supervisors voted 10-1 on Tuesday to create a municipal ID program to help residents without driver's licenses access services and feel secure dealing with local law enforcement.
The measure is modeled after a program that started last summer in New Haven, Connecticut and received support from local immigrant rights and labor groups, homeless shelters and transgender communities.
Supervisor Tom Ammiano said that along with immigrants, elderly people who no longer drive and transgender individuals whose driver's licenses no longer reflect their appearances also would benefit from having the cards.
Ammiano also cited public safety concerns, contending that residents without the identification needed to open bank accounts are more prone to robbery because they may have a large amount of cash on them or in their home. In addition, Ammiano said, residents who can't provide proof of identity are less likely to report crimes.
The measure goes into effect in August 2008, after which residents will be able to receive cards through the county clerk's office at City Hall.
The cards will have a $15 application fee for adults and $5 for seniors and minors, and will require another form of photo identification and proof of residency, such as foreign, business or school ID, utility bills or homeless shelter verification.
said that along with immigrants, elderly people who no longer drive and transgender individuals whose driver's licenses no longer reflect their appearances also would benefit from having the cards.The measure goes into effect in August 2008,
(© CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Associated Press and Bay City News contributed to this report.)
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