Associated Press
RICHMOND, Kentucky -- Richmond will begin offering immigrants identification cards this week, regardless of whether the applicant is in the country legally.
The move could make the Madison County seat the first city in the country to issue such immigrant IDs. It may also draw Richmond into the large and sometimes fierce national debate over immigration reform.
City officials said the cards will be offered as part of a first-ever Latino citizen's police academy at a local church.
Some states give identification cards to all immigrants applying for one. But, immigration experts say they are not aware of any other city or municipality in the nation that issues its own immigrant IDs.
John Keeley, a spokesman with the Center for Immigration Studies in Washington, D.C., said Richmond's decision is similar to "aiding and abetting" illegal immigration.
Posted by Richard at October 23, 2005