With L.A.'s Proposed ID Cards, Immigrants Can Play a Larger Role in the City's Economy

The city of Los Angeles is considering a plan to turn its library system's cards into stand-in identification for the city's undocumented immigrants. The idea is to provide a quasi-legal identifier that will make it possible for immigrants to open things like bank accounts via vendors partnering with the city. L.A. City Councilmember Richard Alarcon, who proposed [PDF] the so-called City Services Cards, says they will help the city's immigrants become more financially secure.

Other cities have implemented similar versions of this concept, including Oakland, California, Richmond, Virginia and New Haven, Connecticut. Though seen as controversial for what some argue is an encouragement of illegal immigration, proponents argue that these cards open banking opportunities that help reduce the risks and costs of not having a formal checking or savings account.