20180123-release-orr - MOIA

Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs


Press Release


Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs and United Chinese Associan of Brooklyn Launch IDNYC "Pop-Up" Enrollment Site in Bensonhurst

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 1, 2018
CONTACT: mediabox@moia.nyc.gov, 646-343-7164

BROOKLYN—The Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs and the IDNYC team today joined Assembly Member William Colton and community leaders to launch a "pop-up" IDNYC enrollment site with the United Chinese Association of Brooklyn in Bensonhurst. This pop-up enrollment site will be open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. until August 17. Applications will be available in more than 30 languages at the enrollment site, including in Chinese, Russian, and Spanish.

United Chinese Association of Brooklyn (UCAOB) is a non-profit organization formed to serve the needs of the Chinese-American population in the Bensonhurst area. UCAOB works to mobilize community resources to improve the quality of life for Chinese New Yorkers in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. IDNYC's mission to unlock more opportunity for all New Yorkers perfectly fits UCAOB's vision to develop a harmonious and civically-minded community.

"IDNYC can be your key to opening a bank account, getting movie tickets at a discount, and visiting cultural gems like the Museum of Chinese in America and the New York Aquarium with a free 1-year membership," said Eileen Reyes Arias, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs at the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs. "We're proud to work with the United Chinese Association of Brooklyn and engage directly with New Yorkers, regardless of immigration status, here in Bensonhurst."

"Together, we can make a difference right here in Brooklyn by bringing free, accessible ID cards to the communities that live here," said Stephanie Wong, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the United Chinese Association of Brooklyn.

"I applaud the United Chinese Association for the utilization of their office space for the IDNYC program which provides dignity to vulnerable New Yorkers as well as access to discounts and other benefits offered by IDNYC," said Assembly Member William Colton. "Local access to these IDs is crucial to assuring anyone who needs them are able to obtain them, further enhancing the quality of life for ID applicants in our neighborhood."

"It's great to see the United Chinese Association of Brooklyn is hosting an IDNYC pop-up with the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs. IDNYC helps make our city a more inclusive one by connecting all New Yorkers to a wide range of services, programs and benefits. It's more than just an ID card; it's a key to unlock all New York City has to offer. I encourage everybody in Bensonhurst to take advantage of this opportunity!," said Council Member Justin Brannan.

IDNYC is the key to the city for more than 1.2 million New Yorkers. Under the leadership of Mayor Bill de Blasio and the City Council, the City's municipal ID program is committed to increasing access to IDNYC for all New Yorkers. The IDNYC program has 20 permanent enrollment centers across the city, a mobile enrollment center, as well as a series of temporary "pop-up" enrollment sites.

All City residents age 14 and above are eligible to get a municipal ID card, and enrollment is free for anyone who applies in 2018. IDNYC has a wide array of benefit partners across the city that make entertainment options, sporting events, zoos and museums, among others, cheaper and more accessible to New Yorkers. A full list of benefit partners is available on IDNYC's website. All IDNYC applicants must have documentation that proves identity and residency in New York City. The City is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of all IDNYC card applications. For more information on eligibility criteria, benefits, enrollment centers across the five boroughs and more, applicants can visit NYC.gov/IDNYC or call 311.