New York's Green Light Law took effect Saturday.
ALBANY, N.Y. – Federal immigration and border officials have been blocked from New York's DMV database, a move that keeps them from accessing data that can be used to help determine whether a vehicle owner has a criminal history or a warrant for their arrest.allowing those without legal immigration status to apply for driver's licenses in New York.
Federal officials appeared caught off guard by the change last week, which was laid out in the state law approved in June. The DMV database allows officers to quickly access information about a vehicle registration holder, including their traffic history. The data can then be used to determine whether a driver is on a sex-offender registry or has a criminal history and whether they have outstanding warrants.New York's Democrat-led Legislature and Gov.
Specifically, the provision says DMV"shall not disclose" any records or information to"any agency that primarily enforces immigration law." DMV spokeswoman Lisa Koumjian said the state agency is bound by the law. No negotiations are underway to restore the federal agencies' access to the database, she said.
President Donald Trump's Department of Justice weighed in earlier this month, intervening in Rensselaer County Clerk Frank Merola's lawsuit that sought to block the Green Light Law from taking effect.The DOJ only weighed in on the data-blocking provision, calling it"legally suspect" and questioning whether it violates federal law.
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