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RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF IMMIGRANTS’ RIGHTS TO FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY ACCESS
WHEREAS,
The American Library Association is on record as opposing the WHEREAS,
this act will require all persons to present a standardized,
state-issued ID, creating in effect a de facto national “identity
card”; and WHEREAS,
this card requires secure, machine readable identity information
to be included on every state issued drivers’ license or personal
identification card, linking personal information such as social
security numbers; and WHEREAS,
the requirement of a state-issued driver’s license or personal
identification card denies many immigrants including children and young
adult members of the family, free
public access to books and reading materials necessary for their
education and self-development; and WHEREAS,
every state will be forced
to comply with the uniform standards set by the Real ID Act by 2008 at
the states’ expense, forcing states to incur the costs, thus taking
needed public dollars normally allocated for libraries and other public
services; and WHEREAS,
the use of this form of identification denies basic, fundamental, human
rights to immigrants, in violation of the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights, established
under the vision and leadership of Eleanor Roosevelt; and WHEREAS,
the use of the REAL ID violates the
International Bill of Rights treaties including the International
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights ( ICCPR) as well as the
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR),
two treaties commonly referred to as the “
International Bill of Rights”; and therefore be it RESOLVED,
that the American Library Association work with REFORMA and other
affiliates to develop a public information strategy to inform and
educate public libraries and member constituents about alternate forms
of identification that will allow free public access to library services
for ALL immigrant populations. Approved
by REFORMA Executive Board Approved
by ALA Council
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