Privacy Digest

San Fran OKs ID Card for Immigrants - Via The Associated Press:

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The mayor signed legislation Wednesday requiring the city to issue identification cards to undocumented immigrants and other residents who can't or won't apply for driver's licenses.

The IDs would not enable cardholders to drive in San Francisco, and they would not stand in for a work visa or Social Security number for those seeking employment. But the IDs would qualify them for health services at city-run clinics, public library privileges and resident discounts at museums and other cultural institutions, according to Mayor Gavin Newsom.

Despite the strong emotions the immigration debate arouses, Newsom said, he sees the ID card program as a practical move that will make it easier for San Francisco citizens to qualify for local services and for city government workers to determine who is eligible to receive them.

"San Francisco does more than most other cities in the United States for its residents, but you need to prove you are a resident and there's no easier way to do it than having one card," he said. "I don't think it's that big of a deal and I think it's inevitable in other cities."

The legislation, which was approved by city lawmakers last week and is to take effect at the end of August 2008, was modeled after a program launched in New Haven, Conn., over the summer. Similar initiatives are under consideration in New York and Miami.

(Read Original Article - Via The Associated Press.)