New ID Card legislation worries immigrants

United States, 2nd June: An Arizona legislation with regard to recognition of photo-ID cards has become a cause of serious concern for immigrants.

The new ID card ruling to come into effect from 20th July onwards in Arizona has been the result of a recent state legislation as part of the undocumented- immigrant provisions.

What is the new Photo ID card law—As per the new photo identification card rule called SB 1465, Arizona will not accept such ID cards that have been issued by foreign consulates. Its among several measures aimed at curbing undocumented immigration in Arizona.

Although, many such measures failed to win support, the ID card bill got approval this year. So, come July 20 and all local as well as state government bodies will not accept photo ID cards of immigrants issued by foreign consulates.

Such photo ID cards are considered as the main form of identification for foreigners staying in another nation especially those without having any local driver license or a passport.

What do state lawmakers say-- The lawmakers of Arizona had been pushing for approval of this legislation for several past years in a bid to keep undocumented immigrants stay out of this US state.

The reason cited by such state lawmakers is that photo ID cards can be manipulated easily for giving false impression that they are living in the US legally.

According to Senator Ron Gould from R-Lake Havasu City, the brain child behind SB 1465, a photo identity card is not a secure means of identification due to the fact that Mexican government does not care to verify ID of immigrants before granting them an ID card.

New law will make immigrants vulnerable and without any identify form--Immigrant-advocate groups Meanwhile, immigrant-advocate groups in this US state say such legislation will render many of immigrants without any identification document in a foreign land especially those who don’t possess either a driver’s license or a valid US passport.

As a result, such law will inhibit such foreigners in Arizona from reporting incidence of crime due to lack of a valid identity document.

Photo ID card accepted by several US states—It may be worth mentioned that as many as 30 US states do recognize photo ID cards as valid for the purpose of photo identification for immigrants hailing from other nations.