The City of Newburgh is pushing forward to make municipal IDs a reality for residents. The city council expressed its commitment to pass Municipal ID legislation at a city council meeting on January 14.

Councilmembers are looking at legislation from surrounding municipalities like Kingston and Middletown to mirror from. They are partnering with community organizations like Nobody Leaves Mid Hudson to find a software to produce ids that will protect the safety of each individual.

“One of the things we are looking at is to make sure the impact is absorbable and cost effective,” said Councilwoman Karen Mejia. “We want to make sure that we protect the identity of the community.”

Working with community organizations are some of the ways the council is looking to protect the immigrant population in Newburgh. According to Mejia, the council is looking at ways to administer municipal IDs without violating the sanctuary city policy passed in March 2017.

“Right now people are scared, people are not willing to come out of their homes,” said Ignacio Acevedo, a Newburgh resident. “I think this is the right step. I am trying to see how we can get the conversation started. I want my city to be the welcoming city that it is.”

The conversation started more than a year ago after the the sanctuary city policy was passed. Michelle Kelson, City of Newburgh Corporate Council, blames the delay in action on rearranged priorities in the fall.

“I have all the sister cities’ legislation, and I will begin working on it in the next few weeks,” said Kelson. “I hope to have something in the upcoming work session.”