Newark Expands ID Card Program To Hispanic Neighborhood In North Ward

NEWARK, NJ — Newark city officials have announced plans to expand the municipal ID card program and are aiming to sign up residents in the North Ward in concert with Hispanic Heritage Month this year.

Last week, Newark officials announced that residents will be able to obtain ID cards at the Vince Lombardi Center at 201 Bloomfield Avenue, which is located in a neighborhood with a concentration of Hispanic residents.

According to city officials, the municipal ID card program - launched in June of 2015 - provides identification for all city residents ages 14 and older. The cards are especially useful for marginalized people in the community, such as those with disabilities, youth, seniors, clergy, formerly-incarcerated individuals, the homeless, immigrants and transgender people, officials have stated.

• See related article: Newark Launches Municipal ID Card Program

The ID card program allows Newark residents benefits, including, but not limited to, opening bank accounts at select locations, utilizing the ID card as a form of identification for schools, police, and access to hospitals, libraries and municipal buildings; regardless of immigration status.

Two months after the program’s launch, city officials had issued more than 1,500 cards, and the program had been credited with helping 25 Newark business owners to register their operations with the municipality.

• See related article: Newark's City ID Cards Help Immigrant Workers To Start Businesses

Photo: City of Newark Press Office

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