Judge Approves New York Driver’s License Law, Dismissing Trump Challenge

A federal judge has upheld New York’s Green Light Law, allowing the state to issue driver’s licenses without requiring proof of legal residency. This decision came on Tuesday, as U.S. District Judge Anne M. Nardacci rejected the Trump administration’s attempt to block the law, which is part of a broader crackdown on illegal immigration.

Judge Nardacci, based in Albany, ruled that the Republican administration failed to substantiate its claims that the state law infringes on federal authority or unlawfully discriminates against the federal government. The Justice Department had filed a lawsuit against the state in February, naming Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James as defendants. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi accused the Democratic officials of prioritizing “illegal aliens over American citizens” during a news conference announcing the lawsuit.

In response, Attorney General James stated, “As I said from the start, our laws protect the rights of all New Yorkers and keep our communities safe. I will always stand up for New Yorkers and the rule of law.” A request for comment from the Justice Department remains unanswered.

Judge Nardacci, appointed by President Joe Biden, emphasized that her role was not to evaluate the policy implications of the Green Light Law but to determine whether the Trump administration’s arguments demonstrated a violation of the U.S. Constitution’s Supremacy Clause, which prioritizes federal laws over state laws. She concluded that the administration “failed to state such a claim.”

The Green Light Law aims to enhance public safety by allowing individuals without licenses to drive legally, thereby reducing instances of unlicensed driving. Additionally, it facilitates access to auto insurance for those holding such licenses, which can help decrease accidents involving uninsured drivers.

Under this law, individuals lacking a valid Social Security number can present alternative forms of identification, such as valid passports or foreign-issued driver’s licenses. Applicants are still required to obtain a permit and pass a road test to qualify for a “standard driver’s license.” However, this law does not extend to commercial driver’s licenses.

The Justice Department’s lawsuit characterized the Green Light Law as “a frontal assault on federal immigration laws and the federal authorities that administer them.” One contentious provision mandates that the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles commissioner must inform individuals in the country illegally when a federal immigration agency requests their information.

During Trump’s first term in 2020, the administration attempted to pressure New York into amending the law by restricting access to trusted traveler programs, which would have resulted in longer security lines at airports for New Yorkers. At that time, Governor Andrew Cuomo proposed limited restoration of federal access to driving records but refused to allow immigration agents to access lists of individuals who applied for special licenses available to immigrants unable to prove legal residency. Ultimately, the administration restored access to the trusted traveler program after a brief legal dispute.

In the lawsuit dismissed on Tuesday, the administration argued that unfettered access to New York’s driver information would facilitate the enforcement of federal immigration priorities. However, Judge Nardacci echoed a previous ruling from the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, stating that such information “remains available to federal immigration authorities” through lawful court orders or judicial warrants.

Topics
Legislation
New York
Personal Auto

A federal judge has upheld New York’s Green Light Law, allowing the state to issue driver’s licenses without requiring proof of legal residency. This decision came on Tuesday, as U.S. District Judge Anne M. Nardacci rejected the Trump administration’s attempt to block the law, which is part of a broader crackdown on illegal immigration.

Judge Nardacci, based in Albany, ruled that the Republican administration failed to substantiate its claims that the state law infringes on federal authority or unlawfully discriminates against the federal government. The Justice Department had filed a lawsuit against the state in February, naming Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James as defendants. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi accused the Democratic officials of prioritizing “illegal aliens over American citizens” during a news conference announcing the lawsuit.

In response, Attorney General James stated, “As I said from the start, our laws protect the rights of all New Yorkers and keep our communities safe. I will always stand up for New Yorkers and the rule of law.” A request for comment from the Justice Department remains unanswered.

Judge Nardacci, appointed by President Joe Biden, emphasized that her role was not to evaluate the policy implications of the Green Light Law but to determine whether the Trump administration’s arguments demonstrated a violation of the U.S. Constitution’s Supremacy Clause, which prioritizes federal laws over state laws. She concluded that the administration “failed to state such a claim.”

The Green Light Law aims to enhance public safety by allowing individuals without licenses to drive legally, thereby reducing instances of unlicensed driving. Additionally, it facilitates access to auto insurance for those holding such licenses, which can help decrease accidents involving uninsured drivers.

Under this law, individuals lacking a valid Social Security number can present alternative forms of identification, such as valid passports or foreign-issued driver’s licenses. Applicants are still required to obtain a permit and pass a road test to qualify for a “standard driver’s license.” However, this law does not extend to commercial driver’s licenses.

The Justice Department’s lawsuit characterized the Green Light Law as “a frontal assault on federal immigration laws and the federal authorities that administer them.” One contentious provision mandates that the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles commissioner must inform individuals in the country illegally when a federal immigration agency requests their information.

During Trump’s first term in 2020, the administration attempted to pressure New York into amending the law by restricting access to trusted traveler programs, which would have resulted in longer security lines at airports for New Yorkers. At that time, Governor Andrew Cuomo proposed limited restoration of federal access to driving records but refused to allow immigration agents to access lists of individuals who applied for special licenses available to immigrants unable to prove legal residency. Ultimately, the administration restored access to the trusted traveler program after a brief legal dispute.

In the lawsuit dismissed on Tuesday, the administration argued that unfettered access to New York’s driver information would facilitate the enforcement of federal immigration priorities. However, Judge Nardacci echoed a previous ruling from the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, stating that such information “remains available to federal immigration authorities” through lawful court orders or judicial warrants.

Topics
Legislation
New York
Personal Auto