Either way, Bay Ridge GOP Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis today called on the de Blasio Administration to cease distributing municipal identification cards to individuals without legal citizenship status, saying the program could pose a security risk.
But Malliotakis believes that the criteria to obtain the card is lax and carries too big a security risk.
“In a time of heightened alarm, we must take precautionary measures to ensure safety and security for New York’s citizens,” said Malliotakis. “I strongly believe that the IDNYC Municipal ID Card program provides easy access to individuals looking to conduct malicious activity by allowing them to obtain an identity by fraudulent means. To reduce the risk of a government-issued identification falling into the wrong hands and prevent another tragic incident from happening here at home, the lax distribution of identification should be suspended immediately.”
Malliotakis said the way the program is currently designed, an individual illegally residing in the United States can obtain a government-issued ID card with little or no documentation after “residing” in New York City for as little as 14 days.
“Government’s first priority is to keep its citizenry safe and we cannot overlook the looming threat of terrorism within our state and country. As threats endure, it is critical that our government, at every level, takes caution and remains prepared and vigilant,” Malliotakis said.
But the de Blasio Admistartion responded that, “calls to suspend the IDNYC program are no more than irresponsible, fact-free fear mongering.”
“We will continue to support immigrant New Yorkers and refugees who come to New York City. The IDNYC was developed in close collaboration with the NYPD, and meets the level of security at state DMVs across the United States,” said de Blasio spokesperson Rosemary Boeglin.
“The availability of an IDNYC makes our city safer for all New Yorkers by providing proper identification to interact with law enforcement and reducing barriers to full participation in civic life – not only for immigrants, but for the elderly, homeless, youth, transgender and other communities that have historically had difficulty obtaining identification,” she added.
Meanwhile, Brooklyn Brough President Eric Adams, a retired New York City police officer met with with counter terrorism officials today and issued the following statement.
“New York City continues to be an attractive target to those who want to harm America, and the terror attacks on Paris have made clear that there is a new norm for which we must be prepared. Today, I held the first of what will be a series of ongoing counterterrorism security meetings to harden the soft targets in our borough; over twenty entertainment venues in Brooklyn met with me as well as leadership from the New York City Police Department and New York City Office of Emergency Management to share best practices and receive access to basic training services,” said Adams.
“While there is currently no credible or specific threat against our borough, local establishments must prepare to expect the unexpected; whether big and small, they must factor this potential into their business plans. We all need to stay one step ahead of those with ill will against us in this marathon race of good versus evil. We will never surrender to fear in Brooklyn and New York City, and we should proceed with life in America’s fourth-largest city confident in and committed to safety,” he added.
