Municipal ID Card and its Multiple Uses María D. Domínguez Oakland City ID Card Coalition
Why is it important to have an ID? A government issued identification card is often A government issued identification card is often required to access goods, services, facilities, and institutions for admittance, participation, and eligibility verification purposes
Who lacks an ID? The following communities often have difficulties obtaining an ID card: Undocumented Immigrants LGBT Children & Youth Elderly Homeless Low-income
Undocumented Immigrants Not eligible to apply for a state issued ID card if they cannot prove U.S. legal presence May be immigrants in the process of adjusting their legal status, but are pending final approval While some immigrants have foreign-government g issued ID cards, i.e. Matricula Consular/Consulate ID, these have its limitations Not available to all foreign nationals; not widely accepted; too expensive; may be used as an identifying mark for discrimination
LGBT Community Some members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and gender variant community may face difficulties changing their name or gender on their state issued ID card May want to have a different gender or none on their ID May not have medical proof to complete authorization form for gender/name change May not want to engage in process of changing gender identity on state ID due to cost and time constraints
Children & Youth Community May be runaway who does not have access to personal records or documents right away Unaware that may yqualify for reduced fee state ID or may not meet all program requirements If do not qualify for reduced fee, cost may be a burden to self or parents/guardians May rely on school-issued ID, but may have usage limitations; also not issued by all schools
Elderly Community While a special free or reduced fee senior citizen state ID may be available, depending on state, some may not meet age requirement yet or other qualifying criteria In California, anyone may exchange a valid driver license for no-fee ID card if no longer able to drive safely because of physical or mental condition
Homeless Community While homeless people can use a local agency or friend address to apply for state ID, they may not have access to personal records or documents necessary to apply May not qualify for reduced fee state ID due to strict program requirements
What is a Municipal ID Card? An identification card issued by a municipal (city) government based on a person s residence in that municipality Municipal governments have the authority to issue ID s at their discretion Municipalities can issue ID s to everyone regardless of immigration status as it does not violate federal or state laws
Federal Law The federal REAL ID Act of 2005 compels state governments to require their state ID card or state driver s license applicants to meet the legal presence immigration status requirement The REAL ID Act does not apply to county or city government issued ID s!
State Law State constitutions, like that of California, usually State constitutions, like that of California, usually give counties and cities the authority to have direct control over local affairs to further the health, welfare, and public safety of its residents
Multiple Uses of Municipal ID Card
Civic Public Safety & Economic Integration Public Health Participation
Civic Integration Enables local residents to increase their participation in various forms of civic and community life by creating more access A municipal ID is a legitimate, local government issued, all-in-one multiple use card that is widely available and affirms each persons identity It helps build a sense of community and local pride among its diverse members
Public Safety & Public Health Enables card holders to feel safer when interacting with local police as they have a valid form of ID Used to report incidents, solicit police reports, and facilitate citation issuance Valuable to healthcare personnel to identify patients; can be tailored to have additional info Helpful in the course of verifying age in some instances (but not to procure alcohol l or tobacco) Useful to reunify lost children & adults, if holder
Economic Participation Used to interact with financial institutions, i.e. open bank accounts, wire transfers, check cashing By incorporating technology, ID card can be used as an ATM, debit card, and/or monetary value storage; parking card; transportation pass Card can be tied to discounts and other incentives to boost commerce and buy local programs Can be used with local currency programs
Civic Integration Library Education Transportation Other Local Programs Community Building Legitimacy Public Safety & Public Health Police / Law Enforcement Interaction Healthcare / Hospitals Emergency / Vital Health Info Age Verification Economic Participation Financial Institutions Local Commerce Discounts / Incentives Wealth Creation Local Currency
Other Benefits Less cards to carry and lose ID card programs can be tailored to meet local needs and requirements Can strengthen city sanctuary status (if applicable) Shows commitment to integrate all residents, regardless of immigration status, thus bolstering support for wider immigrant civil rights movement
Privacy Concerns Possibility that the ID card and the personal data collected by municipalities may be used to harm undocumented persons Thus, records should be kept confidential to the extent permitted by law Under the exemption for personal files which constitute an invasion of privacy if disclosed Using argument that release of data creates public safety risk and that program serves a public safety purpose
Privacy Concerns The IRS issues Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs) to individuals who are not eligible to obtain a Social Security Number Even though the IRS does not guarantee that ITIN application info will not be shared with immigration authorities, thousands of undocumented immigrants have applied and are not discouraged Some municipalities have developed other means So e u c pa t es a e de e oped ot e ea s to protect information
Other Concerns Some worry that a municipal ID card may become a tool for identifying undocumented people and thus become a way to target them when presented But the municipal ID does not reveal immigration status The program benefits all local residents, so there are incentives for the documented d to obtain this card The program should be marketed to the entire local population, not just to undocumented immigrants
Municipal ID Card Limitations Not a license to drive Usually not intended as proof of legal age to procure alcohol or tobacco Not accepted by federal/state agencies for federal/state identification purposes p such as: Airport security/boarding Elections/voting U.S. employment eligibility (to complete I-9 forms)
Key Lessons Create multiple use for municipal ID card Build broad based coalition of supporters that value common benefits Engage private sector stakeholders that may be willing to provide funding for municipal ID program Seek the political support of police administration Leverage e existing local policies that may be strengthened by creating a municipal ID card
Sources Junta for Progressive Action Inc. (Junta) and Unidad Latina en Acción (ULA). 2005. A City to Model: Six Proposals for Protecting Public Safety and Improving Relationships Between Immigrant Communities and the City of New Haven. Luna, Daniel. 2008. Municipal Identification/Resident Card Legislation Breakdown. Cities For All: Integrating Our Communities Conference, San Francisco, California, February 16, 2008. Oakland City ID Card Coalition. 2008-2009. Various Meetings. Centro Legal de la Raza, Oakland, California. Robles, Miguel. 2008. Workshop Objectives and Coalition Building Strategies. Cities For All: Integrating Our Communities Conference, San Francisco, California, February 16, 2008. San Francisco Municipal ID Card Meeting. 2008. Working Group on Building Partnerships. City Hall, San Francisco, California, April 25, 2008.