The Trump Administration weighed in Thursday on a new law giving illegaཧl immigrants driving rights in New York, calling aspecཧts “legally suspect.”
The so-called “green light” law passed by the state Legislaturꦦe in June would al▨low undocumented individuals to obtain driver’s licenses from the Department of Motor Vehicles. As of now, that law is set to take effect on Dec. 14.
But Rensselaer County Clerk Frank Merola filed a lawsuit challenging its merits, arguing that he and other clerks could be in direct vඣiolation of federal immigra✨tion law if they follow the state law.
Attorneys from the Department of Justice on Thursday voiced concern over certain constitutional a꧃spect♋s of the license law that may not stand up in court.
“The United States notes that there is a significant question whether the Act conflicts with federal law,” DOJ attorneys Joseph Hunt, Brigham Bowen and Charles Roberts wro💦te in the court filing submitted in an Albany federal court.
“The Act’s disclosure restrictions are wide-reaching and appear aimed at frustrating the federal government’s enforcement of the immigration🌺 laws.
“The Act specifically prohibits disclosing records or information to federal immigration authorities—singling out ICE and CBP by name—absent a court order or wa🌺rrant signed by an Article III judge,” they argued in the memorandum ღof support of the plaintiff.
Certain aspects of the new law p🔯rohibit inquiries into immigration status, and bans the state DMV from sharing personal information including social security numbers, phone number, place of birth with the federal government ♛and law enforcement unless ordered by a judge.
Merola insists federal🃏 immigration law usurps state and local law, but New York state attorneys contend the federal immigration laws are uncons⛎titutional.
They also argue that﷽ Merola does not have the standing to sue, and the suit should be thrown out.
A separate, but similar lawsuit was rejected last month by another federal judge said the suit couldn’t prove how Erie County Clerk Mickey Kearns would be hurt by the ꦛnew law.
“For me it’s a game changer,” Mero♈la told The Post about th💟e DOJ getting invovled.
“I think there’s a lot of flaws🤪 in the law and hopefully th𒆙e judge sees that and we at least stop it before the 14th.”
The New York State Attorney Gener﷽al’s Office declined to comment.