SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS/AP)  -- A lawsuit to block San Francisco from handing out municipal identification cards to anyone who has lived in the city for at least 15 days regardless of their immigration status was tossed out of court Tuesday.

San Francisco Superior Court Judge Peter Busch ruled against the Immigration Reform Law Institute of Washington D.C., which left open the possibility of an appeal.

  KCBS' George Harris reports

“Why in the world would a city want to assist illegal aliens with identity cards except for the fact that they want to continue to violate federal law,” said Rick Oltman with Californians for Population Stabilization. He said the city is thumbing its nose at federal immigration laws.

Supporters however insist the program is explicit about the limits of the city’s power.

“It expressly provides that where federal law requires any other kind of identification or requires verification of immigration status, for example, the municipal ID card won't be used for that purpose,” said Julia Harumi Mass with the American Civil Liberties Union.

City officials have delayed implementing the program until ensuring it complies with state and federal law. The city's immigration policies have come under fire after San Francisco officials shielded juvenile criminals from deportation.

(jro)