San Francisco has been a “sanctuary city” since 1989, which means that the City does not enforce immigration laws – or cooperate with federal authorities. But with more ICE raids hitting immigrant communities, and Republican politicians having found a new Willie Horton, San Francisco must put real teeth in its policy. And with broad support, Supervisor Tom Ammiano has proposed legislation for the City to issue its own ID cards. At a time where immigrants are denied driver’s licenses and other services, this would afford them the dignity of an identification so they can apply for jobs, report a crime, open a bank account, or check out a book at the library. Undocumented immigrants won’t be the only beneficiaries – transgenders and the homeless also struggle with having inadequate papers, and this law would go a long way towards helping them too.

“One of the tools of oppression,” said Ammiano, “is to not give someone ID – leaving people invisible as possible, living in a world of denial. In San Francisco, we want to address that; for these people who provide so much to our labor infrastructure.” At a rally yesterday on the steps of City Hall, a broad coalition of immigrant rights activists and their allies were there to tell horror stories about what it’s like not to have ID.

“Our members have been robbed and not called the police for fear of deportation,” said Lillian Castillo of Young Workers United. If police ask the victim for ID and they fail to produce one, they may be taken into custody and eventually deported. “Immigrants are targeted because people know that they do not have bank accounts.”

“We support this legislation to end the psychological drama of being undocumented,” said Maria Poblet of St. Peter’s Housing Committee – a tenants’ rights group in the Mission District. “Families without ID do not have bank accounts, receive money in cash and pay their rent in cash.”

According to Poblet, one of her clients – a Latino family – moved into an apartment, and without having a bank account (due to their undocumented status), had to pay the rent in cash. One month later, their landlord said there was no proof that they lived there, no proof they had paid rent, and if they did not move they would be evicted.

The Ordinance – in its current draft form – would require all city departments and entities that receive city funds to accept the municipal ID’s as valid forms of identification. The City would work, through the Treasurer’s Office, to have local banks accept them as well – and it is expected that local businesses would start using them too.

“The federal government has left a vacuum when it comes to immigrant rights,” said Supervisor Gerardo Sandoval – in fluent Spanish and English. Likewise, he added, at the state level Arnold Schwarzenegger has repeatedly vetoed legislation to grant drivers’ licenses to undocumented immigrants. “This law is an attempt to legitimize workers and lend them the imprimatur of being human beings,” he said.

While this law would greatly help undocumented immigrants, the municipal ID’s would be available to all San Franciscans. This is intentional, said Ammiano, because we do not want immigrants targeted because they have these ID’s. Moreover, other groups have difficulty with ID’s – seniors who no longer drive, homeless who need services, and transgenders who may not have their status recognized and suffer from harassment.

“It is a gesture to bring all folks out of the shadows,” said Kristina Wertz of the Transgender Law Center, a non-profit group that assists transgenders with various legal problems. “ID’s that accurately reflect one’s own gender and one’s name are important. We thank Supervisor Ammiano and his staff for including the trans community.”

Tim Paulson of the San Francisco Labor Council was on hand to say that, in solidarity with the marginalized groups, he would also apply for a municipal ID when they become available. “We are proud of this legislation,” he said. “This is what the Labor Council is all about. This ID card will legitimize everyone in San Francisco, and make sure that everyone has access to city services.”

As the federal government drops the ball on immigration reform, the concept of a city ID at the local level for undocumenteds is beginning to catch on across the country. In July, New Haven implemented a similar program – and New York is also looking into it.

In San Francisco, eight of the 11 Supervisors have formally sponsored the legislation – and Mayor Newsom has voiced his support. At a time where the Bush Administration continues to fail, San Francisco is coming together to advance a local solution to a very pressing problem.

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