New York, New York — A federal judge has upheld New York’s Green Light Law, rejecting a Trump administration lawsuit that sought to block the state from issuing driver’s licenses to residents who cannot prove lawful immigration status. The ruling marks another legal setback for the administration’s effort to use federal authority to pressure states into aligning with its immigration enforcement priorities.
U.S. District Judge Anne M. Nardacci ruled that the Justice Department failed to show the law conflicts with federal immigration statutes or unlawfully discriminates against the federal government. Writing in a 23-page opinion, Nardacci emphasized that her role was not to judge the policy merits of the law but to determine whether it violates the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause. She concluded it does not.
The law allows applicants without a Social Security number to use alternative identification, such as foreign passports, while still requiring them to pass written and road tests. State officials argue the policy improves public safety by reducing unlicensed and uninsured driving, a claim supported by traffic and insurance data since the law took effect.
Attorney General Pam Bondi had accused New York officials of prioritizing undocumented immigrants over citizens, while New York Attorney General Letitia James countered that the law protects all residents and keeps roads safer. The court also rejected claims that the law improperly shields information from federal authorities, noting immigration agencies can still access records through court orders or warrants.
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