AZMEX I3 16-10-12

AZMEX I3 16 OCT 2012

Note: could they be a substitute for a driver's license to purchase
firearms? If it has a photo, and it is a Govt. issued ID. Satisfy
the 4473? ( US govt. form for purchase of firearms)
Just one of the questions.


ID card for illegal immigrants breezes through L.A. council panel
October 16, 2012 | 11:35 am
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/10/id-card-for-illegal-
immigrants-breezes-through-la-council-committee.html

A plan to provide illegal immigrants with an official city ID card
easily won a key vote Tuesday when members of a Los Angeles City
Council committee agreed to solicit bids for a third-party vendor to
handle the program.

Councilman Ed Reyes, a member of the Arts, Parks, Health and Aging
Committee, said it's "about time" that L.A. residents, regardless of
immigration status, have the ability to easily open bank accounts and
access city services.

"This card allows people who have been living in the shadows to be
out in the light of day," Reyes said, calling Los Angeles a
cosmopolitan city with an international economy.

Reyes said opposition to the so-called City Services Card is
inevitable because it touches on the hot-button issue of illegal
immigration. But in the end, "cooler heads will prevail and
understand the humanity of the suggestion,'' Reyes said.

The committee voted unanimously to ask the full council to approve a
request for proposal that would allow potential vendors to study the
city's plan and offer bids on running it.

The committee's review was the first step in a process to create the
card system.

Critics say the proposal initially raised by Mayor Antonio
Villaraigosa is the latest indication that Los Angeles leaders are
taking an increasingly supportive view of undocumented immigrants as
they encourage them to join in the city's civic life.
"It is clearly an accommodation," said Ira Mehlman of the Federation
for American Immigration Reform, a group critical of illegal
immigration. "Los Angeles is making it easier for people who have
violated federal immigration laws to live in the city."

But backers said the mayor was doing the right thing, pointing out
that the initiative could reduce crime because fewer people would
have to carry cash.

The idea for the city ID card originated in his office, the mayor
said, as part of previous efforts to help immigrants open bank
accounts so they wouldn't become targets of crime.

Councilman Richard Alarcon recently introduced a more limited
proposal to create a new library card that could also serve as a
debit card. But Villaraigosa said he wants to go further and have the
city begin offering full-fledged photo IDs.

A handful of cities, including San Francisco and Oakland, issue
identification cards to anyone who can prove residency, regardless of
immigration status. Villaraigosa said it's time that the Los Angeles
metro area — home to an estimated 4.3 million immigrants — joined them.




Phoenix mulling city ID for immigrants
By Sandra Haros
Originally published: Oct 10, 2012 - 6:29 am
http://www.ktar.com/?sid=1580993&nid=22

PHOENIX -- The City of Phoenix is considering whether to create a
city identification card that can be distributed to immigrants.

Councilman and Public Safety Committee Chair Michael Nowakowski is
exploring the idea of a city-issued ID card for, "immigrants that
have a Mexican Matricula card or an equivalent of a foreign
identification, but not a valid form of state identification,"
according to a memo written by Nowakowski and sent to City of Phoenix
Attorney Gary Verburg.

The memo suggested that Phoenix is facing challenges as the police
department integrates sections of SB 1070. Nowakowski proposed that
the cards could be a viable solution to protect both police officers
and residents and create an opportunity to make more residents feel
safe enough to report crime.

The Phoenix Police Department declined to comment.

Phoenix attorney and civil rights activist Antonio Bustamante
believes the cards are an excellent idea. He said the decision is
moral and comports with good, sound public policy. The cards will
also encourage a significant portion of the community who will not
approach law enforcement to report a crime.

"They are afraid of being asked for identification that they cannot
produce and that they fear will lead to their arrest and
deportation," he said.

Nowakowski could not be reached for comment.