Newark became the largest city in New Jersey to launch a municipal identification program for residents regardless of immigration status and gender identity.

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka announced the municipal ID program on Monday, and it is valid for the people over the age of 14. Baraka said recipients of the ID include people with questionable immigration status, lack of address, regardless of incarceration history and gender identity. Speaking from Newark's City Hall, Baraka claimed the ID program will be useful for individuals with disabilities, seniors, youth and members of the clergy.

"[We] are proud to be Newarkers as we extend democracy to hundreds of our residents," Baraka said in a statement. "This ordinance says that our door is open in the great city of Newark, and we are welcoming the entire world to help us create 'Newark 3.0.'"

"We want to help all citizens and residents to engage with the city and its resources," added Baraka. "We want them to feel comfortable contributing positively to Newark socially, culturally and economically. We want them to join us in transforming Newark into a City that we can all believe in. With this ID card, everyone in our City can truly say, 'We Are Newark.'"

The Newark Municipal ID cards will start July 1 as a pilot program. From Aug. 1, the program will launch citywide.

Municipal ID program have been a growing popular concept notably after New York City launched its program: idNYC. For Latin Post's "Turnout" series in March, New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito said the city's municipal ID program is helpful for people trying to accomplish basic tasks such as opening a bank account and medical needs.

Last April, Mark Viverito was invited by the One Phoenix ID coalition, which comprises of business and civic organization hoping to create a municipal ID program in their city, to speak about idNYC. For idNYC, the program launched on Jan. 1, and attracted thousands of applicants. According to Al Jazeera America, NYC's municipal ID program became a "hot ticket" with thousands lining up during its first month resulting in lengthy waiting times. NBC News noted more than 100,000 New Yorkers have obtained an idNYC.

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