Judge: NYC may destroy ID-related papers

NEW YORK (AP) - A judge says New York City is legally allowed to destroy personal documents associated with its municipal identification program.

However, the judge also issued a stay Friday - postponing any action until April 17, pending an appeal.

Two state Assembly members have sought to prevent the destruction of documents, such as copies of foreign passports, used to verify a person's identity to obtain the IDNYC card.

According to The New York Times, Judge Philip G. Minardo says purging the documents would not be a threat to national security as the legislators have claimed.

The card can be used by people without a driver's license or an American passport.

Advocates say keeping the documents could lead authorities to the applicants, putting them at risk of deportation.

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