Inspired by the recent decision by the New Haven, Connecticut City Council, New York could also issue official identification cards to undocumented immigrants who, without the IDs, have no official way of identifying themselves to authorities.

For the first time, the Big Apple could have a City ID, in addition to one from the state, which is traditionally issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). In the past few months, these State IDs have made life quite difficult for city residents, affecting thousands of drivers, many of whom were deported.

The proposal is being introduced by Councilman Hiram Monserrate, who represents a Queens district. The document, in addition to identifying undocumented immigrants, would be used by legal residents who do not have a driver’s license and minors who do not have identification.

A release from Monserrate’s office says that a significant portion of the city’s residents are undocumented immigrants, and currently the only identification available is from the DMV. However, the state requires a Social Security card and other documents to issue it.

When the DMV decided to review more than 300,000 cases in the past year of people whose Social Security numbers and other documentation were not clear, several court cases were presented against DMV, among them a case by the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund. The court decided in favor of the New York State government.

Monserrate said that the situation facing thousands of New York residents is difficult, and mentioned the obstacles that they have to face when dealing with officials and institutions, in addition to the fear that trying to obtain an ID produces.

The city of New Haven became the first in the nation to offer a City ID to thousands of people who have no identification. After that city approved the measure, immigration officials conducted a widespread roundup, arresting 31 undocumented immigrants, who have found support from the mayor.