We’re convinced that solving the stem of illegal immigrants is with walls, troops, deportation and as is the case in Arizona, arrest. New Jersey is trying another approach. The city of Trenton is issuing ID cards to undocumented immigrants. The photo ID cards come from a coalition of community groups who include churches, civic associations, the Fire Department and public schools. Although they are not government issued, they have the endorsement of the Trenton police and the Mercer County sheriff and prosecutor’s office and have been accepted by many check cashing companies, libraries, stores, medical clinics, public parks and pools. It is felt that the cards are important in fighting crime, treating those injured, and making the community function more smoothly as a community.
This approach may not be best for every state or every city in the nation, but it does show that there are viable alternatives to treating undocumented immigrants like criminals.
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