The New York City Council on Thursday approved the use of municipal identification cards for undocumented immigrants in a substantial victory for city immigrant rights groups.

The new legislation created what will be the United States' largest municipal identification program, The Wall Street Journal reports.

The program will extend city services to an estimated 500,000 immigrants, regardless of citizenship status, thereby expanding access to services for undocumented immigrants.

The bill passed 43 to 3, with two abstentions.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio supports the program and included funding for it in next year's budget. He is expected to sign it into law soon.

"The municipal ID is more than just a card — it provides New Yorkers who are currently living in the shadows with dignity and peace of mind. My administration is fully ready to develop this plan," de Blasio said, according to the WSJ.

The program will improve access to public schools, libraries and other services undocumented immigrants normally cannot access because they lack state IDs and driver's licenses.

City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito called it a sound, "humane" policy before the vote Thursday.

"This legislation sends a simple and clear message, that we are a city that believes in including everyone," Mark-Viverito said.

The 2015 budget includes $8.4 million for the program, which is expected to cost $5.6 million each subsequent year.

New York Assemblyman Francisco P. Moya (D-Jackson Heights) hailed the legislation. Moya told Latin Post in a statement that all residents of New York City, regardless of citizenship status, should have access to acceptable forms of identification.

"For many undocumented immigrants, having no ID means living life in the shadows. ... We are all better off if all of our neighbors are able to access basic services," he said.

"Vilification of undocumented immigrants has gone on for far too long," Moya added. "Allowing them to have access to a form of identification will allow them to live healthier, more productive and more normalized lives here in New York City. That's better for them, their American-born children and all New York City residents."

Program supporters say it must be adopted widely so immigrants are not stigmatized for using alternative forms of identification.

"That's not how we want this card to be used," said Councilman Carlos Menchaca. "We're working to see what kind of benefits we can attach to it, whether it's Citibike or a MetroCard."

Supporters also said New York City will need to push for the cards to be accepted at banks and cultural establishments.

To get a municipal identification card, applicants have to present proof of residency in New York City and evidence of identity. Proof of residency documents include an apartment lease, a utility bill, a pay stub and similar items, and proof of identity documents include a foreign driver's license, a passport and an ID from the person's home country.

While the majority of the council supported the program, some council members worried that the program would collect information about New Yorkers and unintentionally serve as a database of undocumented immigrants in the city.

"We are basically presenting and preparing a list of undocumented workers that will be presented to whatever authority there is to say, 'Look, we know you're undocumented,'" said Councilman Alan Maisel, a Brooklyn Democrat, who voted for the bill. "It is a serious concern that I have."

The cities of New Haven, Connecticut and Los Angeles, California have similar programs.

Some officials, including New York Police Commissioner William Bratton, are concerned about the security of the IDs. City Council staffs have talked to the NYPD to allay their concerns and prove the IDs will be secure.

And the IDs will not just benefit undocumented immigrants; homeless New Yorkers and sex workers also will have access to the municipal identification cards. The card will also allow people to self-identify by gender, which will enable transgender New Yorkers to have more accurate forms of identification.