SB 1017 Reignites Immigration Backlash

By: Lorin McLain

Another legislative proposal in the Arizona state House of Representatives is drawing backlash from immigrant rights activists in Phoenix. Protesters congregated in front of the state capitol on President’s Day where legislators were set to discuss SB 1017, a law that would limit cities’ ability to issue an I.D. they’re calling “municipal services access cards.” Sponsored by Senator John Kavanagh, it’s in response to an idea Phoenix has been considering to issue I.D. cards to people like undocumented immigrants who can’t get a proper government I.D.

Kavanagh says the cards shouldn’t be called a government I.D. because they can’t prove a person’s identity for certain. He says cards are available for basic services like using the library, and supporters are dragging down the state’s legitimate I.D. process for political purposes. Protesters call it the biggest right wing attack since SB 1070.

Protestors at the capitol threatened a boycott to the degree of protest that erupted over SB 1070, and brought a lot of negative publicity to Arizona. The Center for Neighborhood Leadership, Somos America, LUCHA AZ, the Arizona Dream Act Coalition, and Puente are groups that organized the rally. Supporters of the Phoenix I.D. card say it would make it easier for residents to access banking services, report crimes, use city programs, and participate in volunteer activities. People in the LGBT community say it would allow them to choose their own gender.

Several cities in other states are already using similar cards, and typically list a person’s name, photo, and address. They are considered secondary identification, and cannot be used to vote or pass through airport security. SB 1017 allows cities to issue I.D. cards only to people who provide the same documentation required for a non-operator I.D. card from the Motor Vehicle Division. It won preliminary approval in the state Senate on President’s Day.