De Blasio unveils proposals to help city's immigrant population

The city's public advocate unveiled an immigration reform plan Thursday that he said gives hardworking transplants in the Big Apple a chance at living the American dream.

Bill de Blasio, a mayoral candidate, joined several state and city elected officials and made a legislative request for bills that would help all immigrants living in the city, including one that would create a citywide ID card for all residents.

Half of the city's workforce is made up of immigrants, and they need all the help they can get to improve New York, according to the public advocate.

"Our city can't be whole while hundreds of thousands of people are living in the shadows," he said in a statement.

De Blasio said the citywide ID would help immigrants apply for bank accounts and have access to libraries and city facilities. Cities like New Haven, San Francisco and Los Angeles have a similar program.

The public advocate also called for state legislation to allow undocumented residents to apply for a driver's license.