City leaders in Phoenix recently voted by a narrow margin to create a city
photo ID card for those city residents who face barriers to obtaining
conventional government-issued identification. The ID card will assist not only
undocumented immigrants, but also homeless and transgender individuals in accessing much-needed
services on a daily basis. For instance, individuals may be able to use
the card to open bank accounts or cash checks. Although the ID card will
not be a primary form of identification, such as a state driver’s
license, it will be a secondary form of identification. The card resembles
an employee photo ID card, and it can list biometric information, such
as height, weight, eye color, and hair color. Local government leaders
entered into a contract with SF Global, a private financial company, who
will produce the IDs and maintain a database of the issued cards. The
ID card program will launch February 1, 2017, with preregistration beginning
in December. SF Global and local leaders expect to issue about 10,000
ID cards over the next year. Another benefit of the ID card is the sense
of community and belonging that it will bring to cardholders. As a result,
leaders are hoping that undocumented immigrants will be more apt to report
crimes, which currently tend to go unreported. Not everyone agrees with
these potential benefits, however. A conservative wing of the city government
leadership fiercely opposed the program, and it is likely that conservatives
will attempt to block the program at the state level. According to detractors
of the program, the ID card is unnecessary, as the state will not recognize
what is not a primary form of identification. Others argue that the ID
card will encourage identity theft and illegal immigration, as well as
making it harder for legal residents to access jobs and services. Despite
these advances in immigration policy in Phoenix and elsewhere in the U.S.,
the fact remains that many individuals are subject to deportation by immigration
officials due to their lack of a legal immigration status. If you are
facing deportation, you need the help of Oakland deportation defense attorneys
who can advocate on your behalf and help you work toward a legal immigration
status. At
Landerholm Immigration, A.P.C., we are here to help you maintain the life that you have worked so hard
to build with your family in the United States. Take the first step by
calling our office at (510) 756-4468 as quickly as possible, and schedule
a free evaluation today.
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