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New Haven to Grant ID Cards to Undocumented Residents

By Jeralyn, Section Civil Liberties
Posted on Tue Jun 05, 2007 at 06:16:31 PM EST
Tags: immigrants, immigration reform (all tags)
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Kudos to the town of New Haven Connecticut:

City officials approved a plan Monday to offer illegal immigrants identification cards that would let them open bank accounts and use other services that may be unavailable without driver's licenses or state-issued IDs.

Supporters say the program, approved by the Board of Aldermen and believed to be the first of its kind in the nation, will help safeguard the city's estimated 15,000 illegal immigrants. If they can open bank accounts, immigrants will be less likely to carry large amounts of cash, a practice that makes them easy targets for robbers.

The funding for the cards will come from a private foundation. It's not the first time New Haven has extended help to the undocumented:

New Haven, a city of about 125,000 and home to Yale University, already offers federal tax help to immigrants and prohibits police from asking about their immigration status.

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    New Haven to Grant ID Cards to Undocumented Residents | 16 comments (16 topical)

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    i read that article (none / 0) (#1)
    by cpinva on Tue Jun 05, 2007 at 07:26:57 PM EST
    while i appreciate the noble sentiments behind it, i am sort of curious about something. by providing these cards to illegal immigrants, aren't the aldermen guilty of aiding and abetting a criminal enterprise?

    in fact, i can see DOJ arresting the lot of them, and charging them, under RICO, with an ongoing criminal conspiracy. their status as elected officials will avail them not, it doesn't give them leave to commit criminal acts.

    now, i can see where you might think that's a far fetched scenario. don't go betting the rent money just yet that it won't happen. especially since they've made such a publicity stunt out of it.

    it's practically an invitation.

    What other laws can we ignore? (none / 0) (#2)
    by jarober on Wed Jun 06, 2007 at 08:32:31 AM EST
    As a member of the bar, perhaps you could advise me: which other laws should we ignore?  You seem to think that borders are irrelevant; what other rules should just be tossed aside?  

    I know of no law (none / 0) (#3)
    by Edger on Wed Jun 06, 2007 at 08:55:42 AM EST
    that makes it an offense for an undocumented resident to carry true identification, or makes it an offense for anyone to supply (not false) identification, or makes it an offense for an undocumented resident to open a bank account.

    And Jeralyn has also repeatedly explained that it is not a crime for someone to be an undocumented resident.

    Right, (none / 0) (#4)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Jun 06, 2007 at 12:25:04 PM EST
    And Jeralyn has also repeatedly explained that it is not a crime for someone to be an undocumented resident.
    it is illegal for someone to be an undocumented resident, but technically not criminal.

    However, the only ways an illegal alien can earn money is through criminal actions, ie, by using fraudulent citizen/work visa ID/SS cards or working "off the books.".

    So, let's say an illegal alien uses his illegal alien ID card to open a bank account and deposit his criminally-obtained money.

    Is there some responsibility on the part of the bank regarding accepting funds of what they know, or reasonably should know, to be criminally-obtained?

    And that has (none / 0) (#5)
    by Edger on Wed Jun 06, 2007 at 12:27:51 PM EST
    as much to do with an undocumented resident having ID as it does with him being born.

    Parent
    Just think. (none / 0) (#6)
    by Edger on Wed Jun 06, 2007 at 12:31:49 PM EST
    The perfect right wing solution to undocumented residents.

    Forced abortion.

    Ummmm...... hmmmm.

    Parent

    You're right, I guess it (none / 0) (#7)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Jun 06, 2007 at 12:38:01 PM EST
    was this comment that has nothing to do with an undocumented resident having ID that I was responding to...
    And Jeralyn has also repeatedly explained that it is not a crime for someone to be an undocumented resident.


    Parent
    Well (none / 0) (#9)
    by Edger on Wed Jun 06, 2007 at 12:39:40 PM EST
    She has. It's not.

    Parent
    You're right again, and, also, while (none / 0) (#11)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Jun 06, 2007 at 12:46:46 PM EST
    it is technically not criminal for someone to be an undocumented resident, it is illegal.

    Additionally the only ways an illegal alien can earn money is through criminal actions, ie, by using fraudulent citizen/work visa ID/SS cards or working "off the books."

    Enough circular conversations for one day, I think.

    Parent

    Ok. (none / 0) (#12)
    by Edger on Wed Jun 06, 2007 at 12:51:25 PM EST
    I'm getting dizzy on this one too. Have a good day, sarc.

    Parent
    A perk (none / 0) (#8)
    by roy on Wed Jun 06, 2007 at 12:39:13 PM EST
    If they put their money in the bank, the bank will invest it in some private enterprise or another.  Republicans should be happy.

    Wicked grin. ;-) (none / 0) (#10)
    by Edger on Wed Jun 06, 2007 at 12:42:06 PM EST
    Irreconcilable contradictions could damage republicans though.

    Parent
    speaking of contradictions... (none / 0) (#13)
    by jarober on Wed Jun 06, 2007 at 04:18:20 PM EST
    Since illegals often work off the books (fear of deportation, not legally having ID, etc) - they are far, far more easily exploited than are legal residents.  

    Being in favor of unrestricted, illegal immigration is being on the side of more exploitation.  Not to mention being against the advancement of lower skilled citizens (who are quite frequently black or hispanic).  

    So it's a twofer - the left is favoring a policy that pushes down minorities, be they citizens or illegals.  

    Show some work (5.00 / 1) (#14)
    by Edger on Wed Jun 06, 2007 at 10:00:19 PM EST
    Recent statistics, case studies, numbers of people who are working "off the books", without ID, in fear of deportation, documented exploitation victims, held back in skill development and career advancement, broken down by race (black, hispanic, other) and citizenry, and by whther they prefer to work "off the books" or let insecure authority freaks know about them.

    Make your case. Or go home.

    Parent

    sheesh (none / 0) (#15)
    by jarober on Wed Jun 06, 2007 at 10:14:53 PM EST
    Edger,
         I invite you to drive to any major metro area, and find the place where day laborers congregate.  Those people are all illegal, all working off the books for cash.  They are often getting sub-minimum wage, and they certainly aren't getting what a union member would make for the work they do.

    But hey - keep telling yourself that's not real, and keep telling yourself that the low skilled urban poor couldn't do those jobs anyway.  That way you can still feel good about being a progressive liberal, even as you absolutely screw the poor.

    Sheesh back. It's your case. Make it. Or not. (none / 0) (#16)
    by Edger on Wed Jun 06, 2007 at 10:17:24 PM EST


    Parent
    New Haven to Grant ID Cards to Undocumented Residents | 16 comments (16 topical)

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