IDNYC: an ID card for all New Yorkers
Written by Henrike Dessaules
Image via Blink Ofanaye/Flickr
Given the volatile nature of the current US presidential elections, there are many reasons for immigrants to feel a bit nervous about the future. If there is one take-away from the current campaign trail’s rhetoric it is that, under a Republican presidency, life would be harder for most people with foreign backgrounds. But even a Democratic presidency does not guarantee improved conditions for the undocumented or other immigrants, and despite President Obama’s efforts comprehensive immigration reform has been stalled for years.
While progress has been slow at the federal level, on state and municipal levels so-called “sanctuary jurisdictions” have been formed: these are areas within the US that claim to not enforce federal immigration law, whether through local legislation or in practice. They see the value in community policing, which allows undocumented immigrants to report crimes without fearing their own arrest. Among them are several key cities, including Seattle and San Francisco on the West Coast, and Baltimore and New York City on the West Coast, among others. But recently, jurisdictions — whether states, counties, or cities — that want to circumvent federal immigration law have had to take more intricate measures.
Back in January 2014, newly elected New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the IDNYC initiative as part of his State of the City address. The initiative, which launched a year later in January 2015, became the first ID card available to all New York City residents regardless of immigration status. The free identification card allows all cardholders to access municipal services, such as schools and libraries, and open bank accounts without needing any other form of ID. Most importantly, the card is accepted as proof of identification by the NYPD and therefore directly benefits the city’s more than 500,000 undocumented immigrants.
Since its inception, the program has been so successful that it has the potential to expand statewide. As of December 2015, more than 700,000 NY residents had obtained the card, which also offers many cultural benefits, such as free memberships to New York City museums and other attractions. Following an extended deadline, applications can now be submitted until the end of 2016.
But how easy is it to actually obtain and secure this card? As many know, bureaucracy can sometimes be difficult to navigate for immigrants and native New Yorkers alike. Still, the official IDNYC website is fairly accessible to all, especially as it makes application documents and guidelines available in dozens of languages. Applicants are required to provide several documents to prove their identity and residence in NYC – regardless of their legal status. A section of the website helps them determine what documents they can use, based on what they have available. The application itself is a simple two-page document requesting only basic information about the applicant.
However, there is a tricky part: in order to avoid online scams, applicants must submit their documents in person at one of the 29 enrollment centers. To do so, an appointment is required. Mobility restrictions and time commitments can present major obstacles. As with elections, if the goal is high turnout, working hours and other scheduling conflicts ought to be taken into consideration. Some enrollment centers only offer appointments between 9am and 4:30pm, but many of them also offer times on nights and weekends, so anyone with a nine-to-five job is still able to submit an application. After all, undocumented immigrants have jobs, too!
The IDNYC program has been an overall success and holds many potential benefits for New Yorkers. However, concerns have been expressed about the limited amount of financial institutions in New York that accept IDNYC cards when opening a bank account. Additionally, civil rights organizations such as the New York Civil Liberties Union have openly criticized the program for storing data about New York’s immigrants that could potentially be used by law enforcement agencies to police them.
Still, despite having received a healthy share of negative attention, IDNYC is an important program, especially because of its symbolic value. In a time when politicians and pundits’ immigration policies seem to be in a downward spiral of exclusivity, New York City is sending a clear message to its diverse population: No matter who you are and where you are from, you are welcome here.
