Metro

Is the city about to scrub records of undocumented immigrants?

The city’s municipal ID program anticipated that Republicans might control Congress after this year’s elections, leading Mayor de Blasio on Thursday to say he’s looking to safeguard records submitted by undocumented immigrants “in light of what’s happened.”

The reference was to Donald Trump’s stunning victory, which gave Republicans control of the White House and both houses of Congress.

The municipal ID program, which was enacted in January 2015, includes a one-time provision giving the mayor power to scrub the data of cardholders on or before Dec. 31 just in case of such an eventuality.

During a press conference at City Hall, the mayor said he’s now considering his options.

“There’s been an ongoing plan regardless of any electoral activity of how long records are kept,” he said.

“Given this new reality, we’re certainly going to assess how we should handle it. Remember, it takes time for laws to pass, and we have to see what the specifics will be. But we’re going to look at that question for sure about how we want to handle it in light of what’s happened.”

Records provided by applicants for their city ID card are not retained longer than two years unless there’s a legal issue.

The mayor has the power to review the program and destroy all records by the end of this year. If he takes no action to preserve them, the records are automatically wiped out.

Immigration advocacy groups called on de Blasio to do whatever it takes to protect undocumented immigrants.

“The mayor needs to do everything in his power to keep these records private, especially since we were told that is how it would be,” said Thanu Yakupitiyage, a spokesperson for New York Immigration Coalition.

The cards, which are provided free to all residents regardless of immigration status, were aimed at undocumented immigrants.

However, many other New Yorkers have also joined the program to take advantage of benefits that include free admission or discounts at many of the city’s museums, parks and cultural attractions.

About 900,000 residents have signed up.