New York clerks in upstate counties are refusing to comply with Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s recently passed “Green Light law,” mandating they issue driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants.
Clerks in Rensselaer, Niagara, Chautauqua and Allegany Counties are refusing to comply with the law following Erie County Clerk Michael Kearns’s statements to the press that he will not grant driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants.
Green Light passed the state senate and was signed into law Monday by Cuomo. The controversial bill allows illegal immigrants to apply to the DMV under a special classification to receive driver’s licenses. Applicants need not present a social security card or other documents that substantiate legal residency.
“I go back to the Constitution. You’re not supposed to help or aid anybody if they’re here illegally, especially if we know that,” Frank Merola, Rensselaer County Clerk, told ABC 10.
Merola also added that a driver’s license is not a right. Instead, “It’s a privilege.” He told the outlet his wife is a naturalized citizen and he is by no means “anti-immigrant.” He added, that he hasn’t spoken to anyone in law enforcement that thinks this is a “good idea” and he anticipates to be bombarded with passports he can’t even read.
Merola’s law enforcement comments have backing. The bill directly circumvents officer efforts to identify illegals in the Empire state. In fact, one of the bill’s provisions mandates that law enforcement cannot collect information given by illegals to the DMV without a warrant, The Niagara Gazette reported.
Kearns appeared on Fox Thursday to express his discontent with Green Light and his concerns for potential voter fraud.
Chautauqua County Clerk Larry Barmore completely rejects the bill. “I don’t mind sitting in jail for a few days,” he told WGRZ 2.
Barmore sent a letter to the media saying he “will not allow the DMV offices to charge the way we issue licenses.” He also details that proponents of the bill argue it will help illegals get to work, but the act of hiring aliens is a federal offense.
Allegany County Clerk Robert Christman follows the trend.
“Threats from an individual or a bureaucracy are the least of my worries,” he said.
Niagara County Clerk Joseph Jastrzemski spoke out as well, he told media, Cuomo’s bill is “silly” and he’s “totally against it.” He will also fight the bill’s principles “tooth and nail.”
Republican New York state Sen. James Tedisco of Saratoga County has pushed for a bill to protect the clerks that don’t issue licenses. The Tedisco proposal would forbid the governor’s office from removing rogue clerks “in good faith,” The Niagara Gazette reports.
If they are to lose their court battle and their protection, “We’ll jump off that bridge when we come to it,” says Kearns to a local outlet.
“It is time to put on the brakes and give the Red light to this bill,” Barmore said.
Jake Dima on June 20, 2019
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Are we not a country of laws, or are we going to allow the wealthy to determine which laws are to be followed, or must we demand all laws were written for a purpose, and must be followed.
If we leave it up to Democrats we might as well light the Constitution on fire(That's what they truly want), and we can never let that happen.
Unfortunately most licenses will be issued in NYC. But horray to upstate NY. Grew up in Westchester County
About time someone stood up against these liberals intent on destroying our nation. 3 cheers for upstate New York DMV officials.
And of course all these illegals will get auto insurance before they get behind the wheel!
Democrats suck
"Based on national polling by a consortium of universities, a report by Mr. Richman said 6.4 percent of the estimated 20 million adult noncitizens in the U.S. voted in November. He extrapolated that that percentage would have added 834,381 net votes for Mrs. Clinton, who received about 2.8 million more votes than Mr. Trump." Washington Times
But, the liberal loons will tell you that can't happen, because, it's against the law for non-citizens to vote in our Nationwide elections. Only if you see pigs flying could that happen. I believe 834,381 pigs flew that year! And if you think that's a lot, in the 2008 Presidential election:
"As many as 5.7 million non-citizens may have voted in the 2008 election, which put Barack Obama in the White House." Washington Times
Hillary just can't win for losing!
Cuomo needs to be put in prison. This cat a thug!!
Next on the liberal's list is local elections. They will say that you don't need any proof, just show up and vote. The Democrat majority will ensure a future of Democrat majorities.
And yet American Citizens need to prove their citizenship with a birth cert, passport, naturalization papers, etc. Politicians like Cuomo need to be tarred and feathered, like in the old days.
So glad some have common since at DMV . I agree with them no drivers license should be given to any illegals. It is against the law for them to drive to work as they can not work under our laws. They need to go home and Cuomo should be ran out of office now he is awful. His brother also has a big problem both need to be ran off