Phoenix Groups Calls for “City ID” Regardless of Immigration Status

A coalition of organizations in Phoenix is pushing a measure aimed at creating a municipal ID document that can be obtained by anyone regardless of their immigration status.

“This identification would be an official document for all Phoenix residents that will have several uses and would serve both on public transportation as well as in libraries,” Viridiana Hernandez Soto, an organizer with the Community Leadership Center and a member of the Una Identificacion PHX coalition, told Efe on Tuesday.

The coalition, comprised of civil organizations, businessmen and unions, among others, is pushing the measure approved Monday evening by the city’s Human Relations Committee.

Now, the city council will discuss the proposal and, although no date has been set yet, its proponents hope that it will be approved before the end of the year.

“This measure will benefit Phoenix residents, including immigrants, students and homeless people, who are currently suffering due to the restrictions that exist on obtaining official identification,” the activist said.

The state of Arizona demands proof of legal U.S. residence from immigrants who want to obtain a driver’s license, which is the document generally used as ID.

The coalition says that the municipal ID document “would unify” all the communities in Phoenix area.

Similar measures have already been approved in other cities in states like New York.

Published in Latino Daily News