Nigerian Center Testimony | DC Council - Committee on Transportation and the Environment
December 16, 2024
Testimony of Gbenga Ogunjimi, Executive Director, Nigerian Center
Before the DC Council on the “Limited Purpose Credential Clarification Amendment Act of 2024”
Good afternoon, Councilmember Allen and Members of the Committee,
Thank you for the opportunity to testify on the Limited Purpose Credential Clarification Amendment Act of 2024. My name is Gbenga Ogunjimi, and I serve as the Executive Director of the Nigerian Center, an immigrant legal and social services organization. I testify today as both a proud DC resident and an immigrant justice advocate.
First, I commend the Council for addressing the urgent needs of our immigrant population through this legislation. Expanding the list of acceptable identity documents to include expired passports and federally issued immigration documents is a meaningful step forward. However, there remain critical gaps in the legislation that continue to pose significant challenges for DC's immigrant communities.
At the Nigerian Center, we witness firsthand the struggles immigrants face in obtaining Limited Purpose Credentials (LPCs). For instance:
Sarah, an Ethiopian client who has lived in DC for over 20 years, has been unable to secure any form of identification due to current restrictions.
Alberto, an American citizen born in Thailand to deceased American military veterans, came to us after repeated failed attempts to renew his REAL ID at the DMV. Without identifying and citizenship documents, he was at risk of losing his employment.
Under current laws, both Sarah and Alberto remain ineligible for Limited Purpose IDs due to restrictive residency and immigration requirements.
Three Recommended Improvements
Expand LPC Access for All DC Residents
While including federally issued immigration documents as proof of identity is a positive step, limiting their use to Limited Purpose Credentials but not driver’s licenses is unnecessarily restrictive. We recommend extending the expanded list of acceptable documents to both limited-purpose IDs and driver’s licenses. Furthermore, Limited Purpose IDs should be made available to all DC residents, regardless of Social Security number eligibility.Remove the Residency Requirement
The current six-month residency requirement is a significant barrier for immigrants. Although the bill provides a 90-day exception, requiring proof of document confiscation by CBP or ICE is often unrealistic. We strongly recommend eliminating the residency duration requirement altogether or, at the very least, reducing it to three months.Authorize Social and Legal Service Providers to Issue Affidavits
Immigrant service providers, including IJLS grantees, should be authorized to issue affidavits of identity and residency for both LPCs and REAL IDs.
Additionally, the DMV’s policy of issuing six-month REAL IDs to applicants with pending USCIS cases fails to account for the lengthy timelines of immigration proceedings, which often take years. Allowing these individuals to obtain Limited Purpose IDs would significantly reduce barriers to identification and employment.
In conclusion, an unidentifiable DC resident is an unemployable resident, creating barriers that contradict our city’s commitment to prosperity and inclusivity. By adopting these recommendations, the Council has an opportunity to invest in a future where every DC resident can contribute meaningfully to Washington’s Prosperity.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Gbenga Ogunjimi
Executive Director, Nigerian Center