NEW YORK: The illegal dwellers of New York City of United States, who are living without legal papers, are getting city Identity Card (ID) for the first time.

The mayor of the city, Bill de Blasio, inaugurated the ID program at Queens Library in Flushing of NY on Wednesday.

Last week, driving license was given at California to the illegal residents of New York.

According to the information of NY city mayor office, some half million expatriates are living there without any legal documents.

Bill de Blasio said that many people are coming and staying in the city from different parts of the country continuously. They should enjoy the facilities of the city ID card either they are citizen of the USA or not, he added.

The NY mayor also said that this facility will enhance their living standard. The ID card is also a matter of honor for the city dwellers, he added.

A Mexican woman Idina Menjel is the first one who got the city ID card.

Mark-Viverito the Speaker of the New York City Council said that New York people waited for so long for this happy moment. 

She also said that the people who pay tax and whose children go to schools here are New Yorker. If you are a New Yorker, that’s all we care about,” she added.

Some 17 points are providing the city ID card application forms in 25 language including Bangla. 

The card is intended to help immigrants, undocumented or otherwise; homeless people; and others who struggle to navigate city services and institutions.

The card will confer discounts for prescription drugs, access to city buildings and free memberships to zoos and museums. It will be accepted as a library card across the city’s three public library systems and recognized as identification to open an account at several banks and credit unions.

BDST: 1736 HRS, JAN 16, 2015