An average of 4.3 million of immigrants live in Los Angeles, which is the reason that the mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has proposed a measure to give all of these people and identification card, that can be used as a bank card as well.
This measure is similar to the one that is being used in San Francisco and Oakland, which as long as a person can prove their home address, they can receive this ID card regardless of their immigration status.
Like on all proposals, there are those who are in favor and those who are against it, and those who are against this proposal, say that this is only giving benefits to those who are here illegally and commodities to make their lives easier, while those who are in favor of this proposal say that this is a way to reduce crimes, being that for criminals plastic is less attractive than dollar bills.
This ID card will have a cost of between $10-$20 dollars, and for a small additional monthly fee those who solicit this card can have access to a bank account, but that is optional.
A spokesman from the mayor's office commented to the LA times newspaper that, "this card will be just like a school ID, but it will include a photo, address, date of birth, hair and eye color, and also height and weight.
Law Enforcement can either choose to recognize this form of ID as being valid or not, but under any circumstances this ID is not to be considered as a driver's license".
Many legal residents that are elderly and families of lower income can also benefit from this form of ID because of its low cost, although the proposal is mainly focused on those who are in the country illegally, but also whoever needs this ID or wants it can solicit it.
This is not the first time that Villaraigosa comes to the defense of the immigrants, in May he joined the boycott in Los Angeles to protest against the Arizona Law, and comment to a CNS reporter, "I believe firmly that in California all of these immigrants contribute to a big part of the state's economy".
Joy.Ruvalcaba@sandiegored.com
Translation : Omar.Martinez@sandiegored.com
