The City Council is poised to approve the city’s first municipal identification card later this week.
Supporters of the program say the card could allow illegal immigrants to get access to important services, like opening a bank account.
Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito is a vocal supporter of the proposal.
Mayor Bill de Blasio also promised to create such a program during his campaign for mayor.
If approved, New York will follow several other cities in the creation of a municipal I.D. card, including Los Angeles, San Francisco and New Haven.