by News Channel 8's Crystal Haynes
Updated July 24, 2007
12:25 PM

(New Haven-WTNH) _ New Haven became the first city in the country today to distribute identification cards to all residents including illegal immigrants, but not everyone is onboard with the plan.

The Elm City Municipal ID card will be distributed at the Office of New Haven Residence starting today, and the city says that it will provide the most basic rights. The cards are available to all New Haven residents,including an estimated 10,000 to 12,000 illegal immigrants.

"Things that we're entitled to, opening a bank account, going to the library stuff like that. Or being able to present an ID to send money to your home country." says resident, Nadia Minor "I don't understand. We're not able to vote with these things."

However, on the first day of issuing the cards, there's confrontation and controversy.

"My issue is, not so much what their problems are," says Bill Farrel with Southern Connecticut Citizens for Immigration Reform "My issue is what's good for Americans, and this ID is not good for Americans."

"We're not talking about legal and illegal residents." says Victoria, who didn't provide a last name "We're talking about residents and they live here, why not to have the card?"

Opponents are answering that question. They say that the ID program will bring an influx of illegal immigrants, which will flood the city, create crime, and take away jobs from U.S. citizens.

The New Haven Police Department isn't worried though. "Community policing is about problem solving and engaging every segment, every member of your community together." says Chief Ortiz of the NHPD "After we passed, the order we saw a double digit reduction in the neighborhoods where our immigrant population resides."

The city will issue anywhere between 50 to 100 ID cards today, and applications will be accepted throughout the day.