Richmond Hill, NY – The Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs and Assembly Member David Weprin visited one of IDNYC’s newest "Pop-Up" enrollment centers, located at the Sikh Cultural Center.

Under the leadership of Mayor Bill de Blasio and Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, IDNYC gives New York City residents access to an array of resources. New Yorkers who enroll for their IDNYC card in 2016 are eligible for free one-year memberships to 40 cultural institutions across the City. This includes sites like the Queens Museum, the Queens Botanical Garden and the Queens Zoo. IDNYC’s benefits also include discounts on groceries and medicine. The card is accepted as the primary form of identification at 12 bank and credit unions across the City. IDNYC is the largest municipal ID program in the country, and available to all City residents age 14 and older, regardless of immigration status.

Today, all local residents can set up their appointment to apply for their free IDNYC card by calling 311 in the language that they speak or by visiting www.nyc.gov/idnyc. The “Pop-Up” enrollment center at Sikh Cultural Center is located at 95-30 118th St in South Richmond Hill and will be open from August 8th to August 19th.

“IDNYC unites all of us as New Yorkers,” said Commissioner Nisha Agarwal of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs. “By locating pop-ups at houses of worship and community centers like the Sikh Cultural Center in Richmond Hill, Queens, IDNYC ensures that New Yorkers can enroll for IDNYC in places they trust, and in the neighborhoods where they live. We thank Assembly Member Weprin, Assembly Member Miller, Senator Comrie and Council Member Ulrich for their support of this pop-up at the Sikh Cultural Center”.

As an IDNYC cardholder myself, I am delighted to see an IDNYC Pop Up Enrollment Center operating right here at the Sikh Cultural Center. IDNYC has been very beneficial for many diverse communities across New York and has helped open doors which were previously closed for many New Yorkers. As the Assembly member who represents one of the most diverse districts in the city, I am glad to see that New York City has taken the initiative to give all New Yorkers, regardless of status, an official form of identification,” said Assembly Member David Weprin.

“It is great to see that the Sikh Cultural Center will be a pop-up site for IDNYC. I know firsthand the success these pop-up centers have been. For several weeks my own office was a pop-up site and constituents in my district came to get their ids. I know the leadership of the Sikh Cultural Center will get the word out to the community. I am confident dozens will register to take advantage of the benefits that come with an IDNYC card,” said Assembly Member Michael Miller.

“I strongly encourage my constituents to apply for IDNYC in order to gain access to the many benefits it offers,” said State Senator Leroy Comrie. “IDNYC helps to ensure that all New Yorkers – regardless of immigration status – are given the opportunity to enjoy many of our city’s public attractions and resources. I thank the Sikh Cultural Center for hosting this pop-up enrollment center.”

About the Sikh Cultural Center

Founded in 1972, the Sikh Cultural Center is New York’s oldest Sikh Temple. The gurdwara, located in Richmond Hill, welcomes over 2,000 worshipers each Sunday.