The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a lawsuit against New York, challenging the state’s Green Light Law, which allows undocumented immigrants to apply for driver’s licenses without a Social Security number.
Announcing the lawsuit, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi accused New York of prioritizing “illegal aliens over American citizens.”
“It stops. It stops today,” Bondi declared.
What Is New York’s Green Light Law?
Signed in 2019 by former Governor Andrew Cuomo, the Green Light Law enables undocumented immigrants to:
- Apply for a driver’s license using alternative identification, such as foreign passports or foreign driver’s licenses.
- Take the required road test before receiving a license.
- Obtain insurance, which state officials argue makes roads safer for all drivers.
However, the licenses cannot be used for voting or federal identification.
Why Is the DOJ Suing New York?
According to Bondi, the main issue with the law is privacy protections that restrict the New York DMV from sharing driver data with federal immigration agencies without a judicial warrant.
“It’s tipping off an illegal alien and it’s unconstitutional,” Bondi claimed.
The DOJ argues that this restriction obstructs federal immigration enforcement, violating federal law.
Governor Hochul’s Response
New York Governor Kathy Hochul strongly rejected the lawsuit, calling it “worthless” and “publicity-driven.”
“Our current laws allow federal immigration officials to access any DMV database with a judicial warrant. That’s a common-sense approach that most New Yorkers support.”
She added:
“Let me be clear: New York is not backing down.”
In response to the lawsuit, Hochul canceled a scheduled lunch with President Trump, stating:
“I did not want to give any credibility to this brazen attempt to undermine our laws.”
Attorney General Letitia James Vows to Defend the Law
New York Attorney General Letitia James, also named in the lawsuit, vowed to fight back, saying:
“Our state laws, including the Green Light Law, protect the rights of all New Yorkers and keep our communities safe.”
Other States with Similar Laws
New York is not alone in allowing undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses. At least 19 other states and Washington, D.C. have similar laws, including:
- New Jersey, Connecticut, California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Virginia.
- Washington state, which has had its version since 1993.
How Do These Laws Vary?
Each state has different policies on:
- Accepted documents for proving identity.
- Whether driver information can be shared with federal immigration authorities.
- Restrictions on the use of these licenses (e.g., voting or federal ID purposes).
A History of Federal Pushback
This is not the first time New York’s Green Light Law has been challenged:
- During Trump’s presidency, the Department of Homeland Security temporarily suspended New York from the Global Entry program due to this law.
- Other states with similar laws have faced legal and political opposition from immigration enforcement advocates.
