Newark Approves Municipal ID Program
NEWARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Newark's city council has become the first in New Jersey to approve a municipal ID program -- much the like one implemented in New York City earlier this year.
The Newark Municipal Council unanimously passed legislation Wednesday authorizing the identification cards for all residents 14 years of age or older. Mayor Ras Baraka is expected to sign the ordinance.
Proponents say the program would benefit immigrants, people with disabilities, the young and elderly, formerly incarcerated people, the homeless and transgender individuals.
Supporters admit, however, that convincing undocumented immigrants and the homeless will be a challenge.
"I think it would be (a challenge), but there are so many great benefits from the ID," Johanna Calle, program coordinator with the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice, told WCBS 880's Levon Putney.
Benefits include the ability to open bank accounts and receive discounts for prescription medications as well as admission to local museums, other attractions and businesses.
"If you have to go to your children's school and show an identification, you have that," Calle said. "If you have to enter a building, you have that. You don't have to carry around your foreign passport."
Calle said the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice has been talking with other towns around the state about implementing ID programs there, following the lead of other cities nationwide.
"It's really for New Jersey to kind of catch up a little bit," she said.
It's not clear when the program would be up and running.