New York Immigrants Flock DMV Offices

Immigrants are flocking the DMV offices citywide to take advantage of New York’s Green Light Law, which gives them the green light, for the first time in nearly 2 decades, to acquire for a state driver’s license.

The Green Light Law is now in effect in New York State.

It is now illegal for the DMV to ask for immigration status or social security number.

Before the September 11 attacks, individuals could obtain license in New York State much more easily. But in an effort to control document fraud, the Pataki administration instituted a requirement that anyone seeking a license must present a social security number. This law undoes that policy.

Immigrant advocacy groups lobbied state lawmakers for years to get the law approved.

Supporters say it will make streets and roads safer because it will require undocumented immigrants – many of whom they say are driving already – to pass a driver’s test and get car insurance.

Some Republican county clerks in upstate communities have threatened to ignore the law because they oppose it ideologically. Some also argue that the state has not prepared them to comply with the law, saying they are not familiar enough with the type of documentation immigrants will be bringing in to get their licenses.

Some clerks have also filed lawsuits. A state court on Friday rejected a challenge to the law from the Rensselaer County clerk.