SF City ID Card
| SF City ID Card | |
|---|---|
| Date first issued | January 15, 2009 |
| Issued by | San Francisco, California |
| Type of document | municipal identification card |
| Purpose | Proof of identity and residency Business discounts Public library card Recreation and Parks Department |
| Eligibility requirements | Proof of residency |
| Expiration | every 2 years when the cardholder turns 14 losing residency in the city limits |
The SF City ID Card is a municipal identification card program operated by San Francisco, California for residents of the city-county, regardless of their immigration status. The cards also do not specify the person's gender, to assist transgender individuals who often have difficulty with identification documents.
The stated purpose of the photo ID card is "to streamline access to City programs and connect residents to local businesses." The program is modeled after a similar program operating in New Haven, Connecticut since 2007.
According to the SF City ID Card website, users of the card can use it to:
Such cards are not accepted as licenses to drive or purchase alcohol or tobacco, nor are they recognized by federal or state law. Possession of these cards is not considered mandatory by the city government.
Applicants must submit proof of identity and city residency. Parents may obtain a card for a minor; there are separate cards for children 13 and under, and for anyone 14 years of age or older. A fee ranging from $5 to $15 is charged for the card.
Expiration of the card occurs every 2 years, or when the cardholder turns 14 years of age or loses residency in the city limits.
In the early months of 2007 the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, "ICE", conducted dozens of raids in the US, that conducted to the arrest and deportation of hundreds of immigrants, one of the states more affected was California. The Latin American Alliance for Immigrant Rights, ALIADI, a Bay Area based grassroots organization, founded by Miguel Robles and conformed by local leaders, like Ramon Cardona, Attorney Daniel Luna, Miguel Perez, Julio Garcia, among others, organized a press conference at the San Francisco City Hall, in which they request, that in order to materialize the Sanctuary Status of the City and county of San Francisco, city officials must issue a resident identification card, to improve the interaction between community members (regardless their migratory status), and police officers, as well to allow all San Francisco residents, to access city services and open bank accounts.
ALIADI, started conversations with then Supervisors Chris Daly, Gerardo Sandoval and Tom Ammiano. Supervisor Chris Daly showed interest, but for political reasons couldn't be the sponsor, Gerardo Sandoval was not interested, but his chief of staff, Lupita Peimbert, suggested ALIADI to ask Supervisor Tom Ammiano who showed interest and finally supported the concept. ALIADI gathered over 40 grassroots organizations and non profits, which saw in the City ID Card a tool to improve the life of their clients and members.
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