The Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs’ Assistant Commissioner Kavita Pawria-Sanchez and the IDNYC team joined community leaders to open a “pop-up” IDNYC enrollment site with Assembly Member Luis R. Sepúlveda at his District Office in Parkchester in the Bronx. This pop-up will be open starting today through August 25, 2017.
This pop-up enrollment site makes IDNYC and City resources more accessible to the communities they serve, particularly for the borough’s burgeoning West African and Bangladeshi populations. The West African immigrant community in the Bronx has increased by over 19,000 residents since 2000. Across the city, from 2000 to 2015, the Bangladeshi immigrant community grew by 92 percent, the largest percentage growth among the city’s top 10 largest immigrant communities. Recognizing the diverse languages spoken by Parkchester residents, applications will be available in a wide variety of languages at the enrollment site, including in Bengali and French.
“Opening this IDNYC pop-up site brings IDNYC and City resources closer to the Parkchester community and its neighbors, particularly for our newest New Yorkers from West Africa and Bangladesh,” said Kavita Pawria-Sanchez, Assistant Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs. “This pop-up builds on our efforts to make New York City an open and welcoming city for all New Yorkers. We are glad to have Assembly Member Sepúlveda’s continued support to enable more Bronxites and more New Yorkers to enroll in IDNYC.”
“The last time my office co-sponsored a sign-up period for IDNYC cards, the response was amazing,” said Assembly Member Luis Sepúlveda. “Many of my constituents have since asked how they can sign up for the card. That speaks to the value of this program and the help it provides to those who might have a difficult time maneuvering through the bureaucracy, or just plain having a simple, legally recognized photo ID.”
IDNYC is the key to the city for more than 1,070,000 New Yorkers. Under the leadership of Mayor Bill de Blasio, Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and the City Council, the City’s municipal ID program is committed to increasing access to IDNYC for all New Yorkers. IDNYC has 26 permanent enrollment centers as well as a series of pop-up enrollment sites. Assembly Member Sepúlveda is hosting an IDNYC pop-up enrollment site for the second time, given the strong response from the Parkchester community during the office’s first pop-up in September 2015.
“For all New Yorkers, including anyone who is homeless, elderly, formerly incarcerated or an immigrant, regardless of immigration status, these cards offer a new level of access to the city not available before,” said State Senator Ruben Diaz. And for everyone, an amazing number of free and discounted offers. I salute the city for this wonderful - and much needed - program.”
“It's important for all New Yorkers to be given the same opportunities to contribute and thrive,” said William Rivera, District Manager of Bronx Community Board 9. “With the high rate of immigrants in New York City, this is only possible through immigrant inclusion. Inclusion is not only economically beneficial but it also the right thing to do. Fortunately, City agencies and programs have taken a proactive approach to inclusion and work diligently to make resources available to the immigrant community. Similarly, it is equally essential for immigrant Bronxites to seek, support and demand services needed to help them succeed. Community Board 9 is dedicated to be the voice of the immigrant community in the district with regards to City agencies. It is also relentless in sharing resources and services within the district that benefit the immigrant community and advance immigrant inclusion.”
All City residents age 14 and above are eligible to get a municipal ID card, and enrollment is free for anyone who applies in 2017. IDNYC has a wide array of benefit partners across the city that make entertainment options, sporting events, zoos and museums, among others, cheaper and more accessible to New Yorkers. A full list of benefit partners is available on IDNYC’s website. All IDNYC applicants must have documentation that proves identity and residency in New York City. The City will protect the confidentiality of all IDNYC card applications and will not ask applicants about their immigration status. For more information on eligibility criteria, benefits, enrollment centers across the five boroughs and more, applicants can visit nyc.gov/idnyc or call 311.
About MOIA
The NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs promotes the well-being of NYC’s immigrant communities by recommending policies and managing programs that help to successfully integrate immigrant New Yorkers into the civic, economic, and cultural life of the city. For more information on all MOIA services, go to nyc.gov/immigrants, call 311, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
