US Judge Dismisses Trump Administration Challenge to New York Immigration Law

A federal judge in New York has dismissed a lawsuit filed by the US Department of Justice challenging a state law that former President Donald Trump’s administration claimed hindered immigration enforcement. US District Judge Anne Nardacci in Albany rejected the Justice Department’s arguments that the law, which limits the state Department of Motor Vehicles’ ability to share vehicle and address information with federal immigration authorities, violated the US Constitution.

The ruling was welcomed by New York Attorney General Letitia James, whose office defended the law, and Governor Kathy Hochul. James described the lawsuit as “baseless” and emphasized that New York’s laws protect residents’ rights while keeping communities safe. The Justice Department declined to comment on the decision.

The case targeted the Driver’s License Access and Privacy Act, also known as the “Green Light Law,” enacted in 2019. The law allows undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses using various foreign documents as identification and bars the DMV from inquiring about immigration status. The Trump administration argued that the law interfered with federal immigration enforcement and requested that it be blocked, citing federal preemption.

Judge Nardacci, appointed by former President Joe Biden, ruled that the administration failed to demonstrate a constitutional violation and noted that no federal law requires New York to provide DMV information for standard license applicants.