County clerks ask feds to review N.Y. immigrant license law
County clerks ask feds to review NY immigrant license law
https://media.fox5ny.com/media.fox5n...1.0_160_90.jpg
A sample New York driver license. (New York State Department of Motor Vehicles)By DAVID KLEPPER, Associated Press
Posted Jun 27 2019 03:45PM EDT
Updated Jun 27 2019 04:05PM EDT
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - A county clerk in upstate New York is seeking a federal review of a new state law authorizing driver's licenses for immigrants who are in the country illegally.
Saratoga County Clerk Craig Hayner, a Republican, wrote to President Donald Trump this week asking for the U.S. Department of Justice to determine the law's constitutionality. Hayner is leading the effort on behalf of 30 other county clerks.
Hayner told The Associated Press on Thursday that clerks who follow the state law would be violating their oath of office, which requires them to uphold federal laws, including immigration laws. He also said that county employees are not trained to verify the foreign passports listed as acceptable identification under the new law.
"It's not good government," he said of the law, which Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, signed last week after it passed in the Democrat-led state Legislature.
Federal officials have yet to respond to Hayner's letter.
Twelve states already have similar laws, which supporters say allow immigrants to get to work, raise children and go about their daily lives.
"Making sure that every driver is trained, tested and insured will make New York's roads safer for everyone and ensure that our industries have the labor they need to keep our economy moving," said Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, D-The Bronx, after the bill passed.
New York Attorney General Letitia James's office has already reviewed the bill and last week deemed it constitutional.
"The legislation is well crafted," James said in a statement, adding that if it is challenged in court, "we will vigorously defend it."
Some county clerks have said they will defy the law and sue to overturn it.
Erie County Clerk Michael Kearns said last week that workers at Buffalo-area motor vehicle offices won't grant driver's licenses to those here illegally and will instead send applicants to a state-run auto bureau in Syracuse, more than two hours away by car.
Clerks in Rensselaer, Niagara and Allegany counties have also announced that they won't follow the new law.
http://www.fox5ny.com/news/county-cl...nt-license-law
NY Clerk To File Federal Lawsuit Against Law Issuing Driver’s Licenses To Illegals
July 9, 2019
Jake Dima
A New York county clerk who refused to issue licenses to illegals in June plans to file a lawsuit Tuesday against the law.
Erie County Clerk Michael “Mickey” Kearns made headlines in June when he openly defied Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Green Light Bill that mandated clerks throughout the state issue driver’s licenses to those residing in America as illegal aliens. He is now fulfilling a promise he made to challenge the law he deems unconstitutional.
Chris Horvatits
@ChrisHorvatits4
Here is the letter Erie County Clerk Mickey Kearns sent to Erie County Attorney Michael Siragusa, asking for legal representation in a lawsuit over the state law that gives undocumented immigrants drivers' licenses.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D9XfeWUXkAE3tZB.jpg
12:24 PM - 18 Jun 2019
Kearns calls the bill “inconsistent with federal law” and claims the bill forces him and other clerks to choose to their allegiance to either the federal government or government of New York.
He also believes the law is a violation of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, which expressly outlaws knowingly hiring illegal immigrants, Fox News Reports.
Kearns was not alone in his defiance when the law took root in June. Four more upstate clerks were also found resisting the law in Rensselaer, Niagara, Chautauqua and Allegany Counties.
“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.
Chautauqua County Clerk Larry Barmore completely rejected the bill in June. “I don’t mind sitting in jail for a few days,” he told WGRZ 2.
Most New Yorkers opposed Cuomo’s bill when it was introduced–53% to be exact, according to a March Sienna poll.
“The law is well crafted and contains ample protections for those who apply for driver’s licenses. As the state’s attorney and chief law enforcement officer, my office will vigorously defend it,” New York State Attorney General Letitia James told The Daily Caller News Foundation in June.
https://dailycaller.com/2019/07/09/n...cense-lawsuit/