Phoenix Council Creates ID Cards for Illegal Aliens

At the end of August, leaders in the Phoenix city council voted 5-4 to create a photo-identification card program for the city’s illegal alien residents. (AZ Central, Aug. 31, 2016) While Phoenix is the first city in Arizona to consider offering an ID card to illegal aliens, New York, Los Angeles, and Oakland have also created similar municipal ID programs.

In order to receive an ID card, an applicant must demonstrate Phoenix residency and prove their identity. (City Council Agenda) To accomplish this, Phoenix officials will accept a wide variety of unsecure documentation including foreign IDs and documents, utility bills, employee ID badges or pay stubs, and insurance bills.

All City departments will be required to accept the ID card as valid identification and valid proof of Phoenix residency, however the card will not meet minimal standards set under the federal REAL ID Act to be accepted for federal purposes, including entering a federal building or boarding an airplane, when implemented.

Supporters of the measure say a city-issued ID card will help make the city “inclusive” to all people by helping illegal aliens open bank accounts and gain access to city programs. (AZ Central, Aug. 30, 2016) Supporters also argued it will help law enforcement properly identify illegal alien residents. “It helps us all to know who is in our community and I think we should embrace that,” said Councilman Daniel Valenzuela (D-5), who supported the measure.

Opponents of the measure disagreed, saying the cards would do little to prove an individual’s true identity. Opponents also expressed concerns that these identification cards will increase the potential for fraud and abuse, and pose security risks that will put citizens in danger. State Senator John Kavanagh (R-23) announced his plans to reintroduce a bill to prohibit cities from creating such ID cards. (AZ Central, Aug. 31, 2016) “In the name of political correctness, they are jeopardizing public safety and protection from identify theft,” Senator Kavanagh said. (AZ Central, Aug. 30, 20126)

The ID card program is expected to launch in February 2017.

http://www.fairus.org/legislative-up...te-9-13-2016#4