By giving illegal immigrants identification cards, an immigration expert says the mayor of one California city is creating a "veneer of reality."
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (D) wants to issue official city identification cards to illegal immigrants, making it easier for them to open bank accounts. The cards, which officials describe as similar to student IDs, would be issued to immigrants who meet certain criteria, giving them access to city services. They would include a photo of the individual, his or her address, date of birth, and a physical description.
Roy Beck, founder and president of NumbersUSA, does not like the message that goes along with the IDs.
"It gives a veneer of reality whenever there is no reality," he suggests. "Most people around the world don't want to break the law. They don't want to have to operate kind of in the shadows and not have identification and all that kind of stuff."
Legal and illegal immigrants who can prove their residency would receive the city identification cards, making illegal immigrants more visible to law enforcement, according to supporters.
"When you offer official identification, you're basically saying, the city is saying, we know that you're breaking federal law. We know that you're probably taking jobs from unemployed Americans who would like to have those jobs, but it's okay with us," Beck asserts.
The Los Angeles Times reports that roughly 4.3 million immigrants live in Los Angeles.