Heavy snow fell in New York City for the first time in 10 years. [Photo=NYC] 

Last weekend, which had been experiencing warm spring weather, New York City was hit by heavy snow for the first time in 10 years, paralyzing traffic. 

New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency in New York City, and New York City Mayor Eric Adams launched a large-scale recruitment for emergency snow removal personnel.

Amidst this process, controversy has arisen over Mayor Adams' strict requirements and demand for ID submission from snow removal workers. 

According to the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY), applicants must be △over 18 years old and capable of performing strenuous labor, △eligible to work in the United States, △provide two 1.5-inch (3.81cm) photos, △submit two original IDs and copies, and △provide a Social Security card for registration. 

Joshua Goodman, Deputy Commissioner of Public Information for DSNY, stated to Fox News, "New York City has a legal obligation under federal law to verify employment eligibility and maintain proper documentation," adding, "Ensuring compliance with employment law is not just a procedural matter but a necessary step for the sustainable operation of our programs."

However, the core of the issue lies in the stark contrast between New York City's guidelines and its election policies.

For first-time voters in New York City, only one document is required. Specifically, voting is possible by presenting one of the following three documents: △a driver's license number, △a non-driver ID number, or △the last four digits of a Social Security number.

If an ID was not presented during voter registration, it is also possible to vote using a statement ballot.

Eric Adams, Mayor of New York City and member of the Democratic Party. [AP=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, Mayor Adams is a member of the New York chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America. This organization strongly opposes the SAVE Act, a voter ID law, and labels it as a "racist law." 

Social media users are mocking Adams' hypocrisy, with comments like, "It's harder to shovel snow in New York than to commit voter fraud."

Reporter Lim Yo-hee