Thread: New Haven's Illegal Immigrant Policy Unlike Any Other In U.S

New Haven's Illegal Immigrant Policy Unlike Any Other In U.S.

New Haven (AP) — While many cities across the country look for ways to keep illegal immigrants out, this liberal enclave, home to Yale University, is embracing them.
The mostly Democratic Board of Aldermen voted 25-1 this week to create all-purpose municipal identification cards designed to allow illegal immigrants to open bank accounts and take advantage of other services that may be unavailable without driver's licenses or state-issued IDs.

Supporters say the program, believed to be the first of its kind in the nation, will help keep the city's estimated 15,000 illegal immigrants safe. If they can open bank accounts they will not need to carry large amounts of cash, a practice that makes them easy targets for robbers.

The New Haven vote comes as more than 90 cities or counties around the country, including Valley Park, Mo.; Riverside, N.J.; Escondido, Calif.; and Hazleton, Pa., have proposed, passed or rejected laws prohibiting landlords from leasing to illegal immigrants, penalizing businesses that employ undocumented workers or training police to enforce immigration laws.

New Haven, a city of about 125,000, already offers federal tax help to immigrants and prohibits police from asking about their immigration status.

“It was really a vote that reflected our values as a community here in New Haven, values of hard work, values of acceptance, and values that we get tough things done when we work together,â€

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