New York City officials are simplifying the process for undocumented immigrants to obtain a city residency ID card, making it easier for them to access housing and free healthcare, reports say.
City Council members, with the support of Mayor Eric Adams, have approved a change that expands the types of IDs that immigrants can use to obtain a New York City residency card by 23 additional forms.
The New York Post mentioned examples of acceptable identification documents, including an expired driver’s license, documents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or the Federal Bureau of Prisons, and approximately 100 other forms of ID to acquire an IDNYC card.
The city ID program was first introduced in 2015 under the administration of former Mayor Bill de Blasio to assist migrants in accessing various services.
Asylum seekers line up in front of the historic Roosevelt Hotel, converted into a city-run shelter for newly arrived migrant families in New York City. (Selcuk Acar/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
The ID program is available to all New Yorkers aged 10 and above, regardless of their immigration status.
So far, nearly 1.7 million individuals have obtained the ID card. The city issued 132,054 IDs last year, up from 127,859 the previous year.
Despite these numbers, not everyone agrees with the decision to streamline the process for obtaining a city ID. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., expressed concerns to The Post, calling it a “terrible idea.”
She stated, “To provide a legitimate government ID to individuals in the country illegally then gives them access to government buildings and services is just another incentive to come here… there is no vetting, no process to ensure documents provided to prove identity are not fake and, to boot, they destroy these documents that could be helpful in an investigation.”
Migrants line up outside a migrant re-ticketing center at St. Brigid School on E. 7th St. Friday, Jan. 5, 2024, in Manhattan, New York City.
However, a city representative informed The Post that they carefully screen applicant backgrounds for any criminal history.
In an Op-Ed featured in Harlem World Magazine, Adams emphasized his administration’s achievements in supporting immigrants.
“New York City is a city built by immigrants, and we are not just stronger because of our diversity – we are the greatest city on the globe because of it,” he stated.
Starting in 2022, the city faced a significant number of asylum seekers, which his administration addressed proactively.
“Thanks to our efforts, over 189,100 of the 232,600 migrants who sought city services in the last three years have taken steps towards self-sufficiency,” Adams explained, highlighting that 84% of adults received or applied for work authorization.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams speaks during a news conference outside Gracie Mansion, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, in New York. (Rashid Umar Abbasi for Fox News Digital)
Adams also mentioned that over 53,000 tickets were provided to asylum seekers to reach their desired destinations, reducing long-term costs for taxpayers.
He recently announced the closure of the Roosevelt Hotel migrant shelter in Manhattan, which processed over 173,000 migrants since May 2023.
The shelter, which had around 1,000 rooms, was set up in response to the influx of migrants seeking asylum in 2022.
Hundreds of migrants are seen sleeping outside the Roosevelt Hotel in Midtown Manhattan early Monday, July 31, 2023. (Luiz C. Ribeiro for NY Daily News via Getty Images)
Adams stated, “While we’re not done caring for those who come into our care, today marks another milestone in demonstrating the immense progress we have achieved in turning the corner on an unprecedented international humanitarian effort.”
He continued by mentioning the city’s efforts to connect migrants with job opportunities and provide various services to newcomers.
“Our actions have shown an entire nation what can be accomplished when we lead with compassion and resourcefulness,” Adams said. “Because of the work we have done, we will emerge from this crisis stronger than ever before. We are all New Yorkers together: anything that affects one of us, affects us all. I have faith in our great city to continue to be a beacon of hope, and a place where people from every corner of the world can build a new life.”
Fox News’ Mike Lee contributed to this report.
