New Haven, Conn., Aprroves ID Cards for All

New Haven, Conn., has become the first town in the United States to approve municipal ID cards, reports the Hartford Courant.

The new official identity cards will be available to all of New Haven's residents even the city's illegal immigrants. This news come to a great relief to many of the city's illegal residents who were living in fear as they were increasingly becoming targets of robbers, due to the fact that they had to keep their money in their house because they could not open bank accounts without official ID. The new card will allow these people to open bank accounts as well as act as debit card for certain businesses operating in New Haven.

The ID cards will also allow its holders to gain access to many public services such as, libraries and parks.

The campaign for the municipal ID cards in New Haven has been in the works for two years. The Board of Alderman, which contains 30 members, 25 voted for the implementation of the municipal ID cards, giving a solid victory to those who have been working hard on the campaign.

Kica Matos, who lead the campaign for Mayor John DeStefano and who is also the administer of the community services department told the Hartford Courant, "Tonight, New Haven took a stance in support of human rights and justice and that feels really good."

In showing their majority support for the New Haven municipal ID cards the Board of Alderman also came to an agreement to accept monetary support from the First City Fund Corporation in the amount of $237,000. The money will be used to help run the ID programme.

New Haven's Mayor John DeStefano Jr. told the Stamford Times that, "This card will allow all carriers to receive access to the services that they deserve as residents of New Haven."

According to DeStefano New Haven residents will have the chance to get the municipal ID cards around the start of July. The mayor believes that these new cards will improve the safety of all the city's residents, as those who had no choice but the keep their cash with them, making them targets will now be able to have their own bank accounts. The mayor told the Stamford Times, "By eliminating this barrier to banking services, we expect to make New Haven safe for all its residents."

Though many are happy at the news of the municipal ID cards there are some who have concerns about the cards. One Alderman board member, Arlene DePino did not vote to approve the new ID card. The reasons DePino gives for not supporting the card are she is afraid that the card will attract illegal immigrants from other parts of the US to New Haven, resulting in serious strain on the city's schools, hospitals and other services.

There will be a cost for anyone who wishes to obtain a New Haven municipal ID card. The fee will be $10 for an adult and $5 for a child.

Sources
http://www.thestamfordtimes.com/stamford_templates/stamford_story/289052348266550.php
http://www.courant.com/news/local/hc-ctidvote0605.artjun05,0,2519276.story?coll=hc-big-headlines-breaking
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/05/nyregion/05haven.html