Mayor William de Blasio announced on July 10, 2014 that he had signed a new law allowing all residents of New York City to be granted a New York identification card regardless of whether they are in the U.S. legally or illegally. New York City is the largest city in the United States to grant such benefits. The new law will change the tense atmosphere of illegals in New York, affording them the ability to come out of the shadow of being undocumented and allow them greater mobility and peace of mind.
This new card will enable its holders to obtain a driver’s license, open a bank account, obtain a library card and an I.D. against arrest by the police. Details of the new law will be issued in the fall. It is expected that starting in January of the new year, the I.D. cards will be issued New Yorkers who have suffered discrimination. This atmosphere of security over the past years has not heretofore existed. The City of New York has promised to secure and protect this information from public disclosure such as names, addresses, dates and places of birth.