Plan for New York City ID card that would be available to immigrants, others passes council

Lawmakers have agreed to create New York City identification cards residents could get regardless of their immigration statuses. The measure would add the nation's biggest city to a growing roster of cities that have them.

The City Council voted Thursday to create municipal ID cards. Democratic Mayor Bill de Blasio (dih BLAH'-zee-oh) supports the idea.

The cards would be available to all city residents, but they're aimed largely at helping the estimated 500,000 immigrants living illegally in the city. With the cards, they'd have government ID for opening bank accounts, signing leases or other tasks.

Critics say the cards would permit benefits to people who shouldn't be in the country.

The card likely would cost around $10, waived for people who couldn't afford it.

Cities including Los Angeles, San Francisco and New Haven, Connecticut, already offer such cards.