NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton Expresses ‘Concerns’ About ID Cards Available To Undocumented Immigrants

NYPD commissioner Bill Bratton told reporters after a press conference on Wednesday that he has “concerns” about a new proposal being contemplated by the city council, which would create a municipal ID card available to all residents of New York City. The Wall Street Journal reports that while Bratton supports the general idea -- aimed mostly at further integrating the city’s estimated 500,000 undocumented immigrants and 50,000 homeless -- he worried that the cards might not be secure against abuse.

Capital New York writes that Bratton’s aides are involved in preliminary discussions with city officials over plans for the proposed cards. “Certainly, we would have concerns as to the validation process going forward,” the commissioner said. “As in all things, the devil is going to be in the details. Does it meet standards necessary to support appropriate identification, particularly as it relates to our officers? … Is the person in fact the person identified on whatever card is finally agreed to?”

The city council held the first in a series of hearings on the issue on Wednesday which included testimony from supporters of the cards. The ID would be valid for leasing apartments and opening accounts in banks or libraries as well as for use in law-enforcement purposes. Applicants would have to provide proof of residency and some other form of identification in order to qualify. Mayor Bill de Blasio has championed the idea both on the campaign trail and during his first State of the City speech in February; his office has also taken an active role lately in soliciting bidders to print them, even as support on the council remains uncertain.