By Mihail Matikov
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
San Francisco City Hall started issuing municipal photo identification cards to city residents on Jan. 15, regardless of their immigration status.
“The SF ID card program is great,” said Dr. Carlota Del Portillo, dean of the Mission campus. “It will be available for San Francisco residents only. If you live in Daly City, for example, you will not be able to have one.”
To receive an ID card, residents must show proof of identity, such as a state ID card or a passport, and proof of residency, like a utility bill. The new SF ID card will serve as proof of identity and residency. In addition, the card will provide discounts at places around the city, including the California Academy of Sciences, World Gym San Francisco and Pomodoro Pizza, according to the office of Mayor Gavin Newsom.
The program was approved in November 2007 by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and Mayor Newsom. Last summer, the program was put on hold due to disagreement with law groups like The Immigration Reform Law Institute of Washington, which tried to sue to block the cards.
Ira Mehlman, media director for the Federation for American Immigration Reform, told the San Francisco Chronicle the program is a creation of a platform and will attract illegal immigrants. The federation is a national group calling for stricter execution of immigration laws.
“I think it’s a great idea,” said City College student, Alejandro Rios, 25. “Even if some are illegal immigrants, they should be able to get the card. In such a expensive and diverse city like San Francisco, a card like this can be a very useful.”
The SF ID can also be used to open a bank account at participating banks and serves as a public library card. To help transgender people, the ID will not have a sex designation.
The card is valid for two years. Printed on it will be the cardholder’s full name, picture, address, signature, date of birth, and expiration date. The ID is not a valid driver’s license and can’t be used as a proof of age when buying alcohol or tobacco or be used with federal agencies.
“It seems to me that a card like this is geared towards illegal people,” said Eric Rozell, 36, a psychology major. “But at the same time it [can] benefit everyone who lives in the city, which includes legal or illegal people.”
To get the card, residents need to call (415) 554-4950 or make an appointment 30 days in advance at the Country Clerk’s Office, Room 168 in City Hall. Currently no new appointments are available until March. Depending on the age of the applicant, the price of the new ID varies from $5 to $15.
For more information about how to get the card and about more discounts, visit http://www.sfgov.org/sfcityidcard.





