Names of New Haven ID cards to remain confidential

WTNH Television ^ | 7/10/08 | Puppage

[Puppage]

New Haven (WTNH) _ It seems the controversy surrounding the New Haven ID cards is far from over. But after 30 hours of testimony, ID card holders information, for now, remains secret.

Thanks to a three-to-one vote by state Freedom of Information Commissioners, thousands of names registered under New Haven's resident identification cards will be kept secret for now. Advocates of the program call this a major victory for illegal immigrants who worry about becoming targets.

"The Freedom of Information Commission recognized what we've been saying all along," Kica Matos, the Community Service Administrator, said. "Releasing the records of the ID card holders would pose a risk of public safety to those applicants that received the ID cards."

The newspaper Journal Inquirer of Manchester, as well as the Community Watchdog Project, or CWP, sought the names of people who have the cards. While, the Commission's decision is frustrating, Chief Strategist of the CWP Dustin Gold says the fight is far from over, and they will be appealing the decision to the Superior Court.

"The biggest program is that first of all, people have come in this country illegally, and the City of New Haven has decided to validate them by giving them an ID card," Gold said. "Now, they are trying to protect them from the public, even though the program is funded with public money and the yare getting public services. The records should be open."

During the hearing, Commissioners heard information that their were credible threats to illegal immigrants, saying immigrants were, quote, "walking ATM's." Backers of the card say that is why secrecy for so many is essential.

"There are exceptions to the Freedom of Information Laws and one of the exemptions is that you cannot release records, if releasing them would pose a risk to a person or institution," Matos said.

But during his testimony, Gold countered that argument, citing New Haven officials who have failed to produce credible criminal complaints against card holders, and that the public has the right to know.

"Even if there had been actual carnage in the streets of New Haven, snipers, murders of suspected card-holders, felons awaiting trial for hate crimes, the statute is clear there are no exemptions for these type of records," Gold said.

Opponents of the card still contend that the program encourages more illegal immigration.

Meanwhile, city officials say the next step to get the word out in the city that people realize their records are safe.

[Puppage]

Advocates of the program call this a major victory for illegal immigrants who worry about becoming targets

Good Bye, America. We hardly knew ye.

Opponents of the card still contend that the program encourages more illegal immigration

Gee, ya think?

[3AngelaD]

Somebody needs to sue them, preferably someone who has been assaulted or robbed by an illegal ID holder. Or file a FOIA. Connecticut has “open government” laws out the wazoo although they are belied by reality. UNELECTED commissioners are making this call and it should not go unchallenged.

[y6162]

“..major victory for illegal immigrants who worry about becoming targets.”

I live just outside new haven Ct. This has been an illegal voter scam from the beginning.

[HIDEK6]

But after 30 hours of testimony, ID card holders information, for now, remains secret.

They must not have asked them for their IDs.

[gubamyster]

ping

[3AngelaD]

You have just got to hope someone was there with a camera. At least get their faces.