A federal judge has dismissed the Trump administration’s legal challenge to New York’s “Green Light Law,” affirming the state’s authority to issue driver’s licenses to individuals without Social Security numbers.
U.S. District Judge Anne M. Nardacci issued the ruling Tuesday, rejecting claims that the law infringes on federal authority.
The Driver’s License Access and Privacy Act, enacted in 2019, allows illegal aliens to obtain non-commercial licenses using alternative forms of identification, including foreign passports or out-of-country driving permits.
Applicants are still required to obtain a learner’s permit and pass a road test.
Supporters argue the law improves public safety by ensuring more drivers are properly trained, licensed and insured.
Opponents contend it undermines immigration enforcement and may create regulatory challenges for law enforcement agencies.
The lawsuit, filed in February, named Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) and Attorney General Letitia James as defendants.
Federal officials argued that the law prioritizes illegal aliens over citizens and violates the Supremacy Clause, which establishes federal law precedence over state legislation.
The Department of Justice also criticized the provision requiring the DMV to alert applicants when federal immigration agencies request their driving records, claiming it could impede enforcement during traffic stops, CBS 12 reports.
In her 23-page opinion, Judge Nardacci concluded that the federal government had not proven the law unlawfully interfered with federal powers.
She emphasized that the court’s role was limited to assessing constitutional claims and found no evidence that New York’s law conflicted with federal immigration statutes or discriminated against federal authority.
The judge noted that while the law may create logistical challenges for federal enforcement, these do not rise to the level of a constitutional violation.
James welcomed the decision, highlighting its focus on public safety and residents’ rights.
“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,” she said in a social media statement.
New York is among roughly a dozen states that provide driver’s licenses to illegal aliens.
While the law excludes commercial licenses, recent fatal crashes involving illegal aliens operating commercial vehicles in Idaho, California and Tennessee have intensified discussions about road safety and accountability, according to The Post Millennial.
Advocates for the law argue that by bringing more drivers into the legal system, states can better track licensing, insurance and driving competency, ultimately reducing accidents.
Legal experts emphasize that the ruling highlights the balance between state licensing authority and federal immigration enforcement.
States retain the right to regulate who may legally operate vehicles, but the decision raises questions about risk management for non-citizen drivers in public safety scenarios.
Some observers suggest that the law may enhance insurance coverage and driver competence while also creating new challenges for law enforcement in monitoring compliance and assessing potential risks associated with non-citizen drivers.
The Green Light Law has reignited debates about policy priorities, particularly in states with growing immigrant populations.
Supporters argue that ensuring legal access to licenses promotes road safety, reduces unlicensed driving, and increases insurance coverage, which benefits all motorists.
Critics counter that such measures could complicate enforcement efforts and create regulatory conflicts between state and federal agencies.
As other states consider similar policies, the ruling in New York sets a precedent for the legal separation between state-issued driving privileges and federal immigration enforcement.
The decision underscores the ongoing tension between promoting public safety, safeguarding resident rights, and upholding federal authority, with implications for lawmakers, law enforcement and communities nationwide.
