Illegal Immigrants

Nonprofit's ID cards get recognition from police, immigrants

Associated Press
Published | Updated

In this photo taken Wednesday, July 13, 2016 Esperanza Moreno, left, listens carefully during a Faith Action ID drive at Holy Family Catholic Church in Hillsborough, N.C. Moreno, of Durham, was one of more than 200 people with no legal U.S. identification learning how to use their new $10 ID cards to communicate with police. The FaithAction ID program has issued more than 7,000 ID cards, recognized by police and some local organizations in 16 cities and 9 counties. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome) (The Associated Press)

In this photo taken Wednesday, July 13, 2016 applicants have their photo taken during a Faith Action ID drive at Holy Family Catholic Church in Hillsborough, N.C. The FaithAction ID program has issued more than 7,000 ID cards, recognized by police and some local organizations in 16 cities and 9 counties. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome) (The Associated Press)

In this photo taken Wednesday, July 13, 2016 members of the Hispanic community gather during a Faith Action ID drive at Holy Family Catholic Church in Hillsborough, N.C. The FaithAction ID program has issued more than 7,000 ID cards, recognized by police and some local organizations in 16 cities and 9 counties. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome) (The Associated Press)

A privately issued ID card that enables illegal immigrants in North Carolina to identify themselves to police is getting national attention, though Republican lawmakers want to shut it down.

The FaithAction ID program has issued more than 7,000 ID cards, recognized by police and some local organizations in 16 cities and 9 counties.

The immigrant advocacy nonprofit has formed a network of community groups to host regional ID drives and meetings with police. Officials in other states are looking to emulate the Greensboro-area community's response to a pressing issue for immigrants and officers alike

But the North Carolina General Assembly has barred most public officials from accepting the cards, with a narrow exception for law enforcement.

Opponents call the cards invalid and say they discourage immigrants from obtaining legal documentation.