Baraka municipal ID.jpg

The City of Newark on Tuesday opened its third and latest location where residents can obtain a municipal photo ID card, entitling them to city services and other benefits. Mayor Ras Baraka modeled for this sample ID card.

(City of Newark)

NEWARK -- After issuing more than 9,600 identification cards in the program's first year, Newark is again expanding a municipal ID program that allows residents without a passport, driver's license or other forms of federal or state identification to obtain city and financial services, and access cultural and other institutions.



"We want to help all citizens and residents to engage with the city and its resources," Mayor Ras Baraka said in a statement about the ID program. "We want them to feel comfortable contributing positively to Newark socially, culturally and economically."



On Tuesday morning Baraka and other city officials were at the opening of the third and latest location where residents can obtain the ID's, at the Vince Lombardi Center of Hope, 201 Bloomfield Ave. The Lombardi Center, which mainly offers youth programs, is in a section of the city's North Ward populated largely by Spanish speakers, many of them immigrants.



Kevin Brown, president of Local 32BJ of the Service Employees International Union, Ari Rosemarin of the state ACLU, and Alix Nguefack of the Immigration Alliance, joined officials at the opening in support of the municipal ID program.



The photo IDs, available to anyone at least 14 years old, serve as proof of identity and residency for anyone living in Newark, regardless of immigration status. Applicants must show proof of residency, in the form of a utility or phone bill, lease agreement or other paperwork.





The IDs allow access to schools, libraries and cultural institutions. Officials said the ID's also serve as valid identification during encounters with Newark Police, for example while complaining of a crime or being stopped.

A total of 9,640 IDs have been issued since the program was launched in August 2015, underscoring the demand for proof of identification among people who have been marginalized due to their youth or old age, economic situation or immigration status, said Crystal Rosa, a city spokeswoman.

Officials say the city is also working with financial institutions to get the ID's accepted for services including opening checking or savings accounts and obtaining credit or debit cards, though only a limited number of banks have agreed to accept the cards so far.

One reason undocumented immigrants and others without standard ID's are at a high risk of being robbed, official say, is that they have to carry cash for their purchases and other transactions.

The city began issuing the IDs a year ago at the Newark Health Department office at 394 University Ave., where officials said 1,493 IDs were given out in the first two weeks. In December, the city opened a second location, at Councilman Augusto Amador's East Ward office, at 113 Monroe St., known as "Little City Hall."

Steve Strunsky may be reached at sstrunsky@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SteveStrunsky. Find NJ.com on Facebook.