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New York Times report
Posted by Brian Blackwell at 5/23/2010 08:38:00 AM

Sunday, May 23, 2010
U.S. cities issue ID cards to illegal immigrants
While states and local governments nationwide enact measures to curb illegal immigration, a small but growing number of U.S. municipalities are accomodating illegal immigrants by issuing them photo identification cards and driver's licenses to facilitate life in the country and give them the opportunity to vote.

At least six city governments, including San Francisco and New Haven, Connecticut, endorse and issue official photo identification cards to illegal immigrants in their communities. No proof of legal residence required and no questions asked.

The latest is Princeton, New Jersey, where advocates for illegal immigrants, with the consent of local government, began issuing ID cards to illegals on Saturday; Trenton and Asbury Park have been issuing ID cards to illegals. Oakland, California has approved a program but hasn't yet started issuing cards.

The ID cards are essential, Latino rights advocates say, because they will allow illegal aliens to get medical treatment at taxpayer-funded clinics, borrow books from local libraries, vote, cash checks and access other public services offered by cities and counties they live in. Without a government-issued photo identification, these things are usually off limits to illegal immigrants.

Police chiefs and county prosecutors in New Jersey firmly endorse the issuing of official ID cards to illegal aliens and has the ardent support of nearly all local public and elected officials.

New Jersey has long offered illegal immigrants sanctuary. Last year an advisory panel, created by Governor Jon Corzine to integrate the state's estimated 400,000 illegal aliens, recommended allowing them the opportunity to obtain driver's licenses and discounted college tuition.

Washington State and the State of New Mexico allow illegal immigrants to obtain driver's licenses.

While the programs in Trenton, Princeton and Asbury Park are endorsed by local law enforcement officials but administered by community organizations, New Haven and San Francisco themselves issue official photo ID cards. The cards allow access to more government services, allow illegals to vote and gives them the opportunity to open bank accounts.

Trenton's ID program, which began in May 2009, met with minimal resistance among city officials. City officials and police are under orders not to ask residents about their immigration status, unless it is in connection with a felony.
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