A contentious New York legislation that permits undocumented migrants to obtain driver’s licenses is something that the new border czar for President Donald Trump’s incoming administration wants to amend or repeal.
Later this month, when Trump assumes office, Tom Homan, a native of Upstate New York and former acting director of Trump’s U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), will be in charge of the southern and northern borders. Homan targeted the Empire state’s Green Light statute because he will also be in charge of deportation efforts, which are a major component of Trump’s agenda.
The Driver’s License Access and Privacy Act, passed in 2019 under then-Governor Andrew Cuomo, permits anybody to obtain a driver’s license regardless of their citizenship or legal status in the US. In addition to being invalid for federal identity purposes, it prevents ICE from acquiring NYS motor vehicle data because of concerns that the federal agency may use them to find unlawfully arrived immigrants.
Homan told the Buffalo News that the law endangers the public and federal investigators. There must be a shift, he remarked.
We are unable to obtain complete information on people and cars with New York license plates entering the nation if we do not have access to DMV data. We cannot permit that to go on. To protect our borders, we must be exchanging information with local law enforcement, Homan told the Buffalo daily. This is really important to me. I still own a house in New York State, where I was born and raised. I care a great deal about what occurs in New York.
Homan did not specify when or how he would try to amend the legislation.
According to the Buffalo News, unless the state starts exchanging DMV data, Homeland Security officials are thinking of preventing vehicles with New York license plates from traveling from Canada to the United States. Homan left the idea open.
The magazine was informed by the office of Governor Kathy Hochul that she is dedicated to ensuring safe streets and secure borders. Additionally, when a crime is committed, New York has the authority to notify federal immigration officials, according to the governor’s office.
Last year, Northern New York Republican lawmakers attempted to overturn the Green Light statute in counties that border Canada. While the statute would still be in place across the rest of the state, licensing would be restricted in Clinton, Franklin, St. Lawrence, Jefferson, Niagara, Erie, and Orleans counties. Additionally, state authorities would be permitted to exchange information with federal agencies.
Following the dismissal of challenges to the Green Light statute by three federal courts in 2020, New York State Attorney General Letitia James previously spoke in favor of the law. James claimed that by enabling immigrants to legally drive in New York, it improves road safety and stimulates the economy.
Prior to leading ICE in 2017 and 2018, Homan, a former police officer in his hometown of West Carthage, N.Y., in the North Country, was a Border Patrol agent. In addition to saying he has started discussions with other nations to offer sanctuary to displaced migrants whose home countries will not accept them back, he has already spoken with New York City Mayor Eric Adams over attempts to apprehend violent criminals in NYC.
On January 20, Homansaid attends a Young Republicans rally in Florida, and everything changes.
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