In January of 2015, New York City announced ID NYC, the largest municipal identification card program in the nation. As the immigration attorneys at Berd & Klauss, PLLC report, every resident of the city is eligible to obtain recognized identification. This includes the most vulnerable populations, who often experience difficulty getting a state-issued ID, including:

• Homeless people
• Those who have been incarcerated
• The young
• The elderly
• Undocumented immigrants
• And many others

These identification cards will allow you to access business and city services and gain access to government facilities, and it will be accepted as an official proof of identification throughout the city. NYC's ID cards will also be accepted by the NYPD, helping promote public safety and smooth out interactions with the police. In addition to the convenience that comes with enhanced access to city services, cardholders will also enjoy a variety of other benefits, including free memberships to many of the city's zoos, museums, and botanical gardens.

The NY state government will accept a variety of documents to prove identity and residency, including foreign passports, professional and educational documents, bills, letters, or bank account statements. City rules also contain provisions for homeless individuals and survivors of domestic violence to obtain ID even if they have no stable address.

Visit the ID NYC site online to view the full guidelines and download an application in 25 different languages. Immigrants who may need legal services from a respected immigration lawyer should visit Berd & Klauss, PLLC online, or call (212) 461-7152 to schedule a consultation today.