Relocating to the United States means a wide variety of things to the immigrants starting fresh in a new country. It could be a work opportunity, the ability to reconnect with family, starting a family with a spouse that is a citizen or even escaping persecution in your home country. Whether you are seeking refuge or new opportunities, immigration status controls what rights one has while they are in the country.
According to recent reports, a new municipal ID will be accepted in Chicago. These IDs are designed primarily for illegal immigrants, serving as a valid form of identification used to register to vote. This ID is known as the CityKey, and it is a government-issued photo identification available to residents in Chicago regardless of his or her immigration status, criminal record, gender identity, housing status and other similar personal characteristics.
Because the penalty for illegally registering to vote is rather steep, this discourages those considering from ever voting. In these cases, the main issue is deportation. When an individual is not a citizen but seeks to become one, registering to vote is almost an instant trigger for deportation when he or she applies for citizenship. This is one of the first things checked.
Based on these reports, this new ID should live up to the qualifications set by state statute for a government-issued ID. Thus, this would be a legal form of ID for immigrants of any status, and the board of elections will be able to accept it when registering to vote.
Immigration law issues can be complex. Whether you just entered the country or seek to ensure your status is protected while working to become a citizen, it is important to understand your rights and options. This also means taking action if you are or could face deportation.
Source: Ilnews.org, “New Chicago ID card created for undocumented immigrants will be accepted for voter registration,” Scott Bertram, Feb. 23, 2018
