New Haven ID Stirs Controversy over Undocumented Immigrants, But Residents Embrace Measures
Citizens of the New England hamlet of New Haven, Connecticut are breaking ground in the controversial and often heated field of immigration reform by the simple introduction of an ID card. Why is this new measure so innovative? Because the cards will be offered to all residents of New Haven, regardless of immigration status.
The new city ID cards, called the Elm City Resident Card, will be much more than a standard identification card, and will also serve as a debit card, library card, and parking meter payment card. Anyone who resides in the city, no matter of age, may apply for one, with the cost being $10 for adults and $5 for children.
Originally, however, the ID was proposed to aid immigrants to the United States by allowing them to use the card to open a bank account so that they would not be forced to keep cash and run the risk of being robbed. Supported by Mayor John DeStafano, Jr., the bill passed with an alderman vote of 25 to 1 to tremendous cheers from audience members who completely filled the public viewing area.
However, while support has been strong from city residents, many outsiders have levied scathing criticisms against the city for its policies for undocumented workers. Around 250 protestors from out of town gathered outside city hall during the vote, and the mayor's office was blasted with e-mails from all around the country.
But the residents have embraced the measure to the extent that the city is requiring extra business hours to keep up with the demand for processing. Just days after the measure passed, people were lining up at 5 a.m. outside city hall to apply for the cards, and the backlog of applications to be processed was over 1,000.
New Haven has become an appropriately-named city for immigration reform, where other measures have placed them at the cutting edge of immigrant rights issues. A policy enacted in 2006 now prevents police officers from inquiring about the immigration status of a crime victim or witness, in order to encourage reporting of crimes to police. Often undocumented immigrants are prevented from reporting crimes for fear of deportation.
But the new city ID card is the first of its kind. In order to qualify for a card, residents must show valid government issued photo identification, and this includes IDs issued by countries other than the United States. Applicants must also show approved documents for proving residency in the city of New Haven, such as utility bills, pay stub, tax statements, rental/purchase agreements, or other documents.