... for my homeboys.

SAN FRANCISCO (Map, News) - Illegal immigrants in San Francisco and other residents will be able to get an identification card that establishes residency in The City under a plan in the works by Supervisor Tom Ammiano, which has the support of Mayor Gavin Newsom.

If The City were to adopt a municipal identification program, it would follow in the footsteps of New Haven, Conn., which began issuing local IDs in July. To date, about 3,000 of the cards have been issued.

A city-issued ID card would allow “everyone, regardless of immigration status, to participate fully in San Francisco civic life,” Ammiano said.

Newsom said he is prepared to deal with the criticism that would likely ensue from those who want stronger enforcement of immigration laws.

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In April, the mayor came under attack from conservatives when he publicly condemned immigration raids in the Bay Area and vowed to stay true to San Francisco’s “sanctuary” status, promising that San Francisco officials would not help federal authorities in looking for illegal immigrants.

“I’ve told my entire staff and administration ... that we’re going to support this and to get ready to work with [Ammiano],” Newsom told The Examiner on Thursday. “We’ll move quickly and I’ll make sure that happens to support these efforts.”

Because the legislation is still in the works, Newsom added that he still wanted to “see the details” but said that the idea itself was a good one.

In New Haven, applicants for the municipal ID card are required to present some form of identification — which can include an identification card, driver’s license or military card from a foreign country — and such proof of residency as a rental agreement, utility bill or employment pay stub.

“The municipal identification card is one more act of subverting federal immigration laws,” said Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Immigration Studies, a group that advocates stronger immigration controls. “It turns the undocumented immigrant into the documented.”

A municipal ID card could be used to gain access to a variety of city services, including library services and San Francisco’s new universal health care plan for the uninsured.

In New Haven, several banks have already said they’d accept the city-issued card as identification needed to open a bank account, city spokeswoman Jessica Mayorga said.

“In practical terms, in the New Haven example, it makes explicit the kinds of services that all residents can receive from the city,” said Audrey Singer, an immigration expert with the Brookings Institution.

“But I think more importantly, what it means, it sends a message to the people, to all residents, regardless of legal status, that you belong to this community,” he said.

Cards could become new trend
Although the first municipal identification card — available to all residents regardless of their immigration status — was issued in the small Connecticut town of New Haven, bigger cities may be ready to jump on board with the idea.

City officials from Seattle, Dallas and New York City, among others, have called with questions about the new ID program, New Haven spokesperson Jessica Mayorga said. And a councilman from New York City — Hiram Monserrate of Queens — has already proposed that the Big Apple start issuing the local identification card.

At least 20 other U.S. cities are considering similar programs, according to a report on the Web site citymayors.com.

On Thursday, Mayor Gavin Newsom said he’s already given preliminary approval to legislation for a municipal identification card for San Francisco that is being worked on by Supervisor Tom Ammiano.

“It’s possible that this could have a ripple effect,” said Audrey Singer, an immigration expert with the Brookings Institution.

Issuing a municipal identification card is legal, but the cards will only have as much weight as the municipality can grant, UC Berkeley Boalt Law School Professor Maria Echaveste said. For example, in New Haven, the card can be used by the bearer to gain access to city beaches, the library, the city dump and municipal golf courses, among other city uses.

By the numbers
A look at the undocumented adult immigrants who live in The City

744,041: City’s population

22,212: Estimated number of undocumented immigrants

now what fanta?

Can I come too???

That means nothing! Its still against Federal Law. This is just a way for a few bleeding hearts to do something stupid.

Like helping the INS gather evidence for prosecuting people that aide the illegal immigrants! It gives them proof of who rents to them (unlawful) as well as where the illegals live. It gives the INS easy access to information about who employees the illegals (another crime) as well as other evidence needed when the law changes and the round up begins! The illegals that apply for this will only be screwing themselves in the long run!

Of course San Francisco is not mainstream America either, and I wouldnt count on this trend taking root in many places. The idea would only make the illegals prisoners of the communities that do this since any where outside the city limits would not have to honor the ID!

It would create a false security in the illegals from these areas insuring they do something stupid and get caught.

At best it will cause the illegal immigration population of these communities to explode as millions of illegals migrate there from other communities.

Maybe the ones from here will pack up and move!!!

Would you care if these "illegals" became "legal"???

Wow that was a mouthful. But truly sounds like a pipe dream for getting votes example you can not open a bank account with out all the proper id no matter what the city says banks are regulated federally.
Then how does this come in to play with all the new anti-terrorist laws

But on a lighter note glad to hear the 49's will be better

Truely the only one that suffers if the illegals become legal is the consumer. Now the business have to pay legal wages taxes etc.
The bottom line is they are already here and come every day might has well get the taxes I'm getting tired of hearing about government short funding

I can see a hundred reasons why this is not a smart move for San Francisco and other cities.

When the illegal population grows who will pay for the additional load on the services they will seek? IMO, these communities are signing up for evintual bankruptcy!

Since the illegals still cant draw a social security check when they retire, but will still hold an ID enableing them to recieve services from the city how will they pay for the cost of an aging illegal population.

Just another sign that the bleeding hearts that support these kind of laws do not consider the consequence that are sure to incur from their actions!

Personally, I will encourage illegals to sign up. Starting tomorrow I will start enlightening every illegal I see of these communities new laws and encourage them to go forth and seek a better life in San Francisco.

Hell I'll even help them pack! Maybe I can start a business and make money elping them pack? NaH, they have too many cousins to help for that to work!

SO YOUR gripe isnt that they are foreigners, its the cost of it on taxpayers???

Da, was that a blond moment gypsy??

this makes gypsy happy!!!! Nothing worse than racism~~!!!

I have a letter from my congressman here that says last year the illegal immigration problem cost NC 997 million dollars in taxes!

but think of all the good restaurants you now have!!!! Ole'!!!

I think Miquel should move here! We could have a blast and he could translate for me!!!

Who knows that guy I thought was insulting me the other day might really have been telling me he thought I was funny!!!

He could tell that little hottie from Columbia that I will give her free English lessons at my house every evening if she'll cook me dinner!!!

Im sure the drool coming in the corner of my mouth is international for, "Dam your fine," but there is so much more I want to tell her!!!

now fantita u talk about federal government
when time ago with had an argument in which i stated that cities and town cannot enforce any ordinance against immigrants because that is a federal duty.
and u said the hell with the federal government
dear glen take ur position and stand in just one place

Miguel

i posted this news Fanta for the simple fact that for me is hillarious the thought that a country with an opinion as divided as this is going to come to any solution in the near time.
then i see u fighting so hard, and getting aggrivated for nothing.
just a thought
illegals? yes we are.
but the ones who are suppose to make us legal or kick us out, are not doing anything.

Miguel

in any case i have a bunch of illegal mexicans in my garage, and we have cooler full with presidente beer.

I was talking about a state though Miquel not a city!!

Or city Laws that uphold current federal laws that the feds wont enforce!

Not laws that go against current laws!

Drink one for me bro!!!

Now about that Columbian Hottie!!!!