Hartford Moves to Recognize All Its Residents With City ID Cards

The city of Hartford is planning a municipal identification program that would facilitate access to city services, programs and benefits for all Hartford residents, regardless of race, age, gender, arrest or conviction record, citizenship status or sexual orientation.

Stephen Glassman, Executive Director of the ACLU of Connecticut said, “Our friends, families and neighbors here in Hartford often face a number of difficulties securing identification. The inability to provide an ID can hinder their willingness to report crimes and stand up for their own basic rights. This kind of program could provide a big step toward protecting the rights of hard working people who improve our lives in Hartford.”

A city identification card would allow residents to apply for services, access the city’s health clinic, obtain food vendor licenses, open bank accounts and apply for housing and employment.

Municipal identification cards started in New Haven Connecticut in 2007 and are now available in cities throughout the country.

The move received the support of immigrants’ rights groups, charities serving the homeless, labor organizations and advocates for civil liberties.