ALBANY, NY (WTEN) — U.S. Attorney General, Pam Bondi, is suing New York State officials over the state’s Green Light Law.
“New York has chosen to prioritize illegal aliens over American citizens. It stops. It stops today,” said Bondi.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi held a press conference on Wednesday saying legal action will be taken against New York State. The lawsuit claims New York’s Green Light law, which allows undocumented immigrants to have drivers licenses and doesn’t allow the DMV to share records with federal immigration agents, violates federal law.
Jared Cook, an attorney at Tully Rinckey, shared The Department of Justice’s argument in the lawsuit.
“The argument here is by telling them that they can’t share DMV information, that is in conflict with the federal law which says you must provide us with immigration information,” explained Cook.
Governor Kathy Hochul issued a statement on Wednesday, saying in part, “Our current laws allow federal immigration officials to access any DMV database with a judicial warrant. ” She went on to say, “We expect Pam Bondi’s worthless, publicity-driven lawsuit to be a total failure, just like all the others. Let me be clear: New York is not backing down.”
Democratic Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal stands by the Green Light Law, which he voted for back in 2019.
“The federal government doesn’t issue drivers licenses. States do,” said Hoylman-Sigal. “And this is an important law for commerce and economic development in the State of New York, not to mention support for our immigrant communities.”
Republican Senator Dan Stec has often criticized the law and has two bills— one that would repeal it statewide and another that would repeal it in border counties.
