Legislation Could Ban Alternative Forms Of ID

North Carolina lawmakers want to change part of an immigration law that currently allows for the use of some alternative forms of identification for immigrants.

The law, known as House Bill 318, was passed last September and tightened immigration policies. It limited the number of acceptable forms of ID for immigrants, and outlawed “sanctuary cities” where immigration policy is more loosely enforced.

There is one exception in the bill. Police are currently allowed to accept IDs provided by local governments or nonprofits, and the use of these cards has surged.

Greensboro-based FaithAction International House is a non-profit serving the immigrant community. The organization has held ID drives since 2013, and distributed more than 4,000 cards to date.

Legislators now say they want to get rid of the cards claiming that they are not valid. Meanwhile the North Carolina Sheriff's Association says the IDs help law enforcement officials communicate with people in their communities.