A federal judge has upheld New York’s Green Light Law, allowing undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses, rejecting a challenge from the Trump administration.
A federal judge has ruled in favor of New York’s Green Light Law, which permits individuals to obtain driver’s licenses without requiring proof of legal residency in the United States. This decision comes as a setback for the Trump administration, which sought to block the law.
U.S. District Judge Anne M. Nardacci issued her ruling on Tuesday, stating that the Justice Department had not substantiated its claims that the state law undermines federal law or unlawfully discriminates against federal authorities. The lawsuit was filed in February against New York Governor Kathy Hochul and State Attorney General Letitia James.
“As I said from the start, our laws protect the rights of all New Yorkers and keep our communities safe,” James remarked in a statement following the ruling. “I will always stand up for New Yorkers and the rule of law.”
In announcing the lawsuit, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi accused Hochul and James of prioritizing “illegal aliens over American citizens.” The controversial law has faced criticism for allegedly obstructing federal agents from accessing the driving records of undocumented immigrants during traffic stops.
Judge Nardacci emphasized that her role was not to assess the law’s desirability as a policy but to determine whether the Trump administration’s arguments were valid under the U.S. Constitution’s Supremacy Clause, which asserts that federal laws take precedence over state laws. She concluded that the administration “failed to state such a claim.”
The Green Light Law, officially known as the Driver’s License Access and Privacy Act, was enacted to enhance road safety. It aims to address the issue of individuals driving without a license or having passed a driving test. The law facilitates access to auto insurance for those who hold a driver’s license.
Under this legislation, individuals without a valid Social Security number can present alternative identification forms, such as valid passports or foreign-issued driver’s licenses. However, applicants are still required to obtain a driver’s permit and pass a road test to qualify for a standard driver’s license. Notably, the law does not extend to commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs).
The Department of Justice’s lawsuit characterized the Green Light Law as a “frontal assault” on federal immigration laws, particularly highlighting a provision that mandates the state’s DMV commissioner to inform individuals in the country illegally when a federal immigration agency requests their information. The lawsuit further contended that unrestricted access to New York’s driver information would facilitate the enforcement of the Trump administration’s immigration policies.
The Green Light Law took effect in 2019 but has faced renewed scrutiny following a tragic incident in January, where a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent was killed during a traffic stop involving a German national near the northern border with Canada.
Hector Garza, vice president of the National Border Patrol Council, expressed concerns about the law’s impact on law enforcement. He stated, “Any information that can help law enforcement stay safe as they conduct their duties has pretty much been taken away with this Green Light Law.” Garza elaborated that the law hinders law enforcement from accessing vital information regarding vehicle registrations, which is crucial during traffic stops.
However, Judge Nardacci reiterated that information remains accessible to federal immigration authorities through lawful court orders or judicial warrants, aligning her ruling with an earlier appeals court decision regarding a county clerk’s challenge to the law.
New York is among a dozen states that permit undocumented immigrants to drive, a policy that continues to spark debate across the nation.
According to Fox News Digital, the ruling marks a significant moment in the ongoing discussion surrounding immigration policy and state rights.