A barrier to clean water in Flint, Michigan: a government-issued ID

*There are reports of 1000 undocumented residents in Flint that have not accessed a daily water ration because they don’t speak English and fear going out into the open. Add to this the request of a photo ID.  The State of Michigan says the ID is “not required, just requestd.” But it’s keeping the undocumented away from clean water. VL


vox logoBy Dara Lind, Vox

The water in Flint, Michigan, isn’t safe to drink, but most residents have alternatives. They can pick up bottled water at National Guard–operated distribution centers or, even better, obtain a filter that will remove the toxic amounts of lead from the city’s public taps.

But for the city’s 1,000 unauthorized immigrants, getting help isn’t as easy as it sounds.

Most unauthorized immigrants don’t have IDs (at least not IDs issued by American governments). And asking for ID, whether it’s intended to limit aid to people who are here legally or simply to make sure no one person takes more than her fair share, has a serious chilling effect: Immigrants don’t feel comfortable asking for water.

Click HERE to read thje full story.


[Photo by Mark Elliott Twitter]

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