Thread: S.F. ID card program supporters hold rally

S.F. ID card program supporters hold rally
John Coté, Chronicle Staff Writer

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Four San Francisco supervisors joined with immigrant rights and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender groups on Tuesday to demand that Mayor Gavin Newsom move ahead with a program to issue municipal identification cards to residents regardless of their immigration status.

Newsom suspended implementation of the program last month to make sure it complies with state and federal laws. The move came after a series of Chronicle articles explaining how the city regularly shielded young illegal immigrants from deportation after they were found guilty of felony crimes. That practice has since been stopped.

Supervisor Tom Ammiano, who sponsored the ID card legislation, called its implementation a "matter of social justice" amid recent raids by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

Supporters say the cards could help illegal immigrants obtain services that call for identification, such as getting a library card. LGBT groups say it could help transgender people get an ID that lists their correct gender.

City Administrator Ed Lee is looking into how the cards can be made counterfeit-proof, according to the mayor's office.

"There's no challenge to the policy. We're talking about the implementation of the policy," mayoral spokesman Nathan Ballard said. "It has to be implemented in the most careful way to make sure it withstands any legal challenges."

The Immigration Reform Law Institute of Washington, D.C., has sued to stop the program.

Speakers at Tuesday's rally, including Supervisors Ross Mirkarimi, Chris Daly and Gerardo Sandoval, urged city leaders to recommit to the sanctuary policy for illegal immigrants.

Backers of the sanctuary policy contend media focus on criminal cases involving illegal immigrants is inflammatory and ignores the vast majority of hardworking immigrants here to support their families.

E-mail John Coté at jcote@sfchronicle.com.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.c ... 12VBDV.DTL

Every state needs to be required by ICE to E-Verify all immigrants.

end SEGREGATION - That is what American Schools have taught via our government purposes. Americans have been dumbed down to accept the invasion of immigrants. But have Third World Countries ended SEGREGATION?

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REQUIRE THE GOVERNMENT TO E -VERIFY ALL I-9S GETTING HIRED BY NC EMPLOYERS VIA THE NC STATE UNEMPLOYMENT OFFICES.

NC STATE UNEMPLOYMENT OFFICES ONLY E-VERIFIES I-9S OF AGRICULTURAL IMMIGRANTS.

Please go and read my information about I-9s at post:
http://www.alipac.us/ftopicp-769349.html#769349