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US city issues immigrant ID card | US city issues immigrant ID card |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A city in Connecticut has become the first in the United States to issue identity cards to illegal immigrants. | A city in Connecticut has become the first in the United States to issue identity cards to illegal immigrants. |
New Haven - best known as the home of Yale University - is offering the cards to all its residents, including to some 12,000 undocumented immigrants. | New Haven - best known as the home of Yale University - is offering the cards to all its residents, including to some 12,000 undocumented immigrants. |
City leaders say the plan will enable immigrants to open bank accounts and make them less vulnerable to crime. | City leaders say the plan will enable immigrants to open bank accounts and make them less vulnerable to crime. |
But the ID card scheme, which comes as some other cities get tough on illegal immigrants, has also prompted protests. | But the ID card scheme, which comes as some other cities get tough on illegal immigrants, has also prompted protests. |
New Haven Mayor John DeStefano said the cards, which were approved last month, would make immigrants more willing to report crime. | New Haven Mayor John DeStefano said the cards, which were approved last month, would make immigrants more willing to report crime. |
"The simple straightforward purpose here is to build a stronger community," he said. | "The simple straightforward purpose here is to build a stronger community," he said. |
"You can't police a community of people who won't talk to our cops." | "You can't police a community of people who won't talk to our cops." |
'Welcome mat' | 'Welcome mat' |
But opponents said the move would encourage illegal immigration. | But opponents said the move would encourage illegal immigration. |
Bill Farrel, of Southern Connecticut Citizens for Immigration Reform, said: "It's going to be a welcome mat for illegal aliens to come to the region, flood the labour market and dry up working-class and middle-class jobs." | Bill Farrel, of Southern Connecticut Citizens for Immigration Reform, said: "It's going to be a welcome mat for illegal aliens to come to the region, flood the labour market and dry up working-class and middle-class jobs." |
BBC Americas editor Will Grant says the controversial move stands in stark contrast to the approach towards illegal immigrants adopted in other parts of the US. | BBC Americas editor Will Grant says the controversial move stands in stark contrast to the approach towards illegal immigrants adopted in other parts of the US. |
New laws and proposals in more than 90 cities or counties across the country include prohibiting landlords from renting to illegal immigrants and penalising firms that employ them. | |
Last month, US President George W Bush's plans for immigration reform collapsed in the Senate amid strong opposition. | Last month, US President George W Bush's plans for immigration reform collapsed in the Senate amid strong opposition. |