The San Francisco Council of Supervisors, in northern California, has approved a measure that allows undocumented immigrants to receive identification cards next year. It is hoped that these cards will reach some 40,000 immigrants.

The cards, which would make San Francisco the second U.S. city to grant this kind of document, would be valid for business purposes, library services, and for police requirements, according to press reports.

Undocumented immigrants are the primary focus of this program, but anyone could obtain a card if they ask for it, according to the official decision.

In San Francisco, city employees and the police are prohibited from asking people’s immigration status. Other cities in the Bay area, like San José, have applied similar measures.

This program will recognize the contributions of people who are part of the community, said [San Francisco State] Supervisor Tom Ammiano, who played an important role in the approval of the measure.

Missouri says no to licenses

Missouri Governor Matt Blunt announced another element in his strategy to end illegal immigration: a legislative proposal in Missouri that would prohibit the state from issuing driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants.

The state has already installed safeguards to keep undocumented immigrants from obtaining driver’s licenses, but Missouri lacks a specific law prohibiting it, said Blunt.

“The law would be clear that the state of Missouri will not issue a driver’s license to an illegal immigrant. At the same time, it would define punishments that currently do not exist for those who help an illegal immigrant to obtain a driver’s license,” Blunt, a Republican, said in a press conference at the Police Department in Kansas City. “Missouri will not become a delinquent zone. Instead of waiting for Washington to act, we will continue adopting measures to apply immigration law at a state level.”

The governor noted that he also has press conferences scheduled in Springfield, Cape Girardeau, and San Luis to announce his plan.