LOS ANGELES (AP) — Immigrants would get access to banking services in Los Angeles under a proposal by the mayor that would create an official city photo identification card that could also be used as a prepaid ATM card for their private bank account.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa says his plan is similar to programs in San Francisco and Oakland, where ID cards are issued to anyone who can prove residency, regardless of immigration status, the Los Angeles Times reported (http://lat.ms/Pte3vK ).

“It will be an official ID,” Villaraigosa told the newspaper. “It will be as strong an effort as San Francisco’s.”

An estimated 4.3 million immigrants live in LA.

Supporters say helping immigrants open bank accounts could reduce crime because fewer people would have to

Read more: Los Angeles mayor wants ID card for immigrants | CNSNews.com.