In November 2007 Maegan told you that San Francisco had followed New Haven, Connecticut’s lead in approving I.D. cards for immigrants. Today, the reality of such a move manifested itself in long lines to get the cards:

Hundreds of people stood in line for hours at San Francisco City Hall on Thursday to be among the first in the nation to receive municipal identification cards regardless of their immigration status.

The cards, also available in New Haven, Conn., and being considered in other cities, have sparked fury among advocates of stricter immigration laws. They argue cities have no business declaring people residents if they are not in the country legally.

But San Francisco officials and recipients of the cards hailed the new program as a way to connect undocumented immigrants with banks, businesses and city services, such as obtaining health care and checking out library books. They also said it will encourage card holders to report crimes to the police without fear of being arrested or deported.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports that the city’s liberal mayor, Gavin Newsom, is laying low with regard to the cards because he is afraid the issue will be used against him as he prepares for 2010 gubernatorial bid:

After an unrelated event to announce the expansion of a free Wi-Fi program for public housing residents, Newsom said he had been meeting with his budget director during the identification card event. He said he’s not worried about how the program will affect his run for governor.

“This would go at the end of a very long list of things that will be points of consternation that will be targeted against me,” he said.

Regardless of his current low profile, Newsom has been a strong supporter of the program, spearheaded by assemblyman Tom Ammiano (pictured at right), who, reports The Chronicle, showed up himself to apply for the card and was turned away. One of the few requirements is that you show a utility bill, which Ammiano did not have on him.

While the buzz around these cards has mostly been related to the immigration issue, San Francisco had other communities in mind when considering the benefit of the city I.D.: homeless people who cannot obtain a state I.D, card without an address, and transgender people whose current I.D.s do not reflect their gender. The Chronicle reports that the city I.D.s will not list the sex of the carrier.

For info on how to obtain the card, go here.

Via / SFGate