IDNYC is a card for all New Yorkers, from all backgrounds, and from all five boroughs. Your immigration status does not matter. The free municipal identification card for New York City residents, ages 10 and up, IDNYC helps New Yorkers access a wide variety of services and programs offered by the City. IDNYC cardholders also enjoy benefits and discounts offered by businesses and cultural institutions across the five boroughs, and the peace of mind that comes from having a broadly accepted government- issued photo identification.
Africans Help Desk spoke with a few undocumented immigrants who managed to get the municipal ID card, and asked them how they feel about it. Here is just one. ” My name is Abou, (last name withheld for privacy) and I am undocumented. Before Covid 19, one of my friends mentioned the municipal ID to me, and I decided to check it out. I called the Chairman of the African Advisory Council, the organization that organizes the African Nations Cup Tournament in the Bronx every year. I needed to know whether some of the rumors that our information will be shared with ICE and other law enforcement agencies was true? Mr. Mardah assured me that those rumors were unfounded, and that the information was safe and secure. So, I decided to get one” and I am so glad I did”
The IDNYC card is a broadly accepted, official form of identification. IDNYC is accepted:
- By City agencies to access many services and programs;
- By NYPD for the purposes of issuing summons or desk appearance tickets instead of arrest;
- For entry into public buildings, like schools;
- For taking the high school equivalency exam in New York City;
- By employers, when submitted with proof of work authorization.
The IDNYC card also offers a wide variety of exciting benefits that make it more than just an ID card. Your card can help you experience everything New York has to offer.
With your IDNYC Card, you can open a bank or credit union account at one of several financial institutions across New York City. Visit the Banks and Credit Unions page to find out more about the Banks and Credit Unions below.
- Amalgamated Bank
- USALLIANCE
- Brooklyn Cooperative Federal Credit Union
- Carver Federal Savings Bank
- EastWest Bank
- First Republic Bank
- Lower East Side People’s Federal Credit Union
- Melrose Credit Union
- Neighborhood Trust Federal Credit Union
- People’s United Bank
- PNC Bank
- Spring Bank
- University Settlement Federal Credit Union
- Urban Upbound Federal Credit Union
For the most accurate and up-to-date information about these benefits or if you have any questions about accessing them, please contact the organizations listed below. IDNYC is not responsible for determining your access to these benefits.
Abou was able to open a bank account and save his hard earned monies. In the past, he was giving his paycheck to a friend to deposit for him, and sometimes using check cashing places who were charging a lot of fees. He also credited the card with opening up a lot of doors, as he had used the card to take a lady he was trying to impress to some cultural institutions in New York City, including the Museum of Natural History.
Africans Help Desk would bring you more information regarding some of the services provided by New York City, how to access those services, and where to access those services.
For more information on the IDNYC, you may visit www1.nyc.gov
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