In New York City, migrants and others can now present expired driver’s licenses, documents from ICE, the Bureau of Prisons, or open cases from city departments, such as housing, among over 100 other types of IDs, to obtain an IDNYC card. This initiative, which was first introduced during the de Blasio administration in 2015, was designed to help migrants access essential services, including health care at public hospitals, banking, housing, education, and more.
The city’s IDNYC program is available to all residents aged 10 and older, regardless of their immigration status. The program has issued around 1.7 million IDs to date, including over 260,000 in 2023 alone.
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Critics argue that the easing of access to the IDNYC card undermines federal immigration laws, pointing out that providing legitimate government IDs to individuals in the country illegally grants them access to services and government buildings. Some, including Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis, believe that the lack of thorough vetting for the identity documents could allow fraudulent IDs and potentially hinder investigations.
City officials maintain that the backgrounds of ID applicants are thoroughly checked for criminal issues and that personal data is only shared with authorities if a court warrant is issued. Additionally, the city stresses that the IDNYC card serves as a tool for vulnerable populations to gain stability and access services in their everyday lives.
The program has become a point of contention among local lawmakers, with some viewing the card as a means of legitimizing the presence of undocumented individuals in the country. However, proponents argue that the program helps integrate these individuals into the city’s social fabric, offering them the tools needed to build a better life in New York.
The city recently announced changes to the program, including expanding the types of documents accepted as proof of identity. This update aims to make the ID more accessible, especially to immigrants, students, and taxi drivers. A public hearing on the changes will take place on March 28.
Despite the criticisms, city officials emphasize that these updates are part of ongoing efforts to ensure that all New Yorkers, including immigrants, can obtain a reliable form of identification. They argue that the IDNYC program remains a vital tool for ensuring access to essential services and supporting self-sufficiency for the city’s most vulnerable populations.
While the migrant crisis that overwhelmed the city in recent years has started to ease, the IDNYC card continues to be an important resource for many New Yorkers, regardless of their immigration status.
