If Mayor Bill de Blasio Did It, Governor Andrew Cuomo Should Do It, Too

 

What You Should Know

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz

32nd Senatorial District

You should know that back in April, 2013, when Reverend Erick Salgado opened his first Campaign Office as a Democratic Party Candidate for New York City Mayor, he was the first candidate to call for the creation of a Municipal ID card for the City’s more than 600,000 undocumented immigrants. (We all know that Mayoral Primary was won by Bill de Blasio, who became Mayor of New York City.)

It is important for you to know that after becoming the Mayor of New York City, the Honorable Bill de Blasio implemented the IDNYC Program, granting government-issued identification cards to all City residents over 14 years old, no matter what their immigration status is - anyone can apply for it.

The IDNYC Program is a good one for all New Yorkers, and I have to publicly congratulate Mayor Bill de Blasio for taking the leadership in New York State for implementing such an outstanding program. The IDNYC Program has become especially popular with people in New York City, not only for those who are facing immigration problems but also for young families, senior citizens, teenagers, and so many people residing here.

Now, after seeing the volume of participants and the importance that the IDNYC Program has been in the City of New York, I believe it is time for New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo to also do something of this magnitude for all residents of New York State.

You should know that the IDNYC Card is an official form of identification that can be used in City Agencies, the NYPD, for entry into public buildings like schools, to take the high school equivalency exam in New York City.

According the their website, the IDNYC card holders, whether they are immigrants or not, are offered discounts at: museums and cultural institutions, libraries, banks and credit unions, movies, plays, BigAppleRx prescription drugs, fitness and health centers, Food Bazaar supermarket, veterans designation benefits, and animal care centers.

Because Governor Andrew Cuomo has been very eager to find ways to help improve the conditions of New York’s immigrants, I believe by implementing a similar ID Program throughout the entire State of New York would be a strong indication of how much he truly cares not only for our immigrant community, but for the whole New York State.

That is why I am calling on Governor Andrew Cuomo to implement the IDNYC Program throughout New York State, because if Bill de Blasio did it and we see how perfectly it works in New York City, Governor Andrew Cuomo should do even better for the whole State.

I am Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz and this is what you should know.