A federal judge has upheld New York’s Driver’s License Access and Privacy Act, commonly known as the “Green Light Law,” in a decision that rejected a lawsuit filed by the Trump administration seeking to block the state from issuing driver’s licenses to individuals illegally residing in the country.
The law permits all New Yorkers age 16 and older to apply for standard, non-commercial driver licenses or learner permits regardless of citizenship status or lawful immigration status.
New York Attorney General Letitia James praised the ruling on social media, stating: “A federal judge has dismissed @DOJ’s baseless lawsuit against New York’s Green Light Law. As I said from the start, our laws protect the rights of all New Yorkers and keep our communities safe.”
U.S. District Judge Anne M. Nardacci ruled in Albany that the administration failed to demonstrate the law conflicts with federal authority or unlawfully interferes with immigration enforcement. The decision allows New York to continue issuing standard driver licenses under the statute.
The Justice Department filed the lawsuit in February, naming Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James as defendants. At that time, former Attorney General Pam Bondi asserted the law prioritizes “illegal aliens over American citizens.”
In her ruling, Nardacci clarified her role was not to assess the policy merits of the Green Light Law but to determine whether it violates the U.S. Constitution’s Supremacy Clause, which establishes federal law as paramount over state law. She concluded that the administration had “failed to state such a claim.”
The Green Light Law addresses concerns that individuals without driver licenses drive without proper testing, training, or insurance. State officials have argued it improves road safety and expands access to auto insurance. Under the statute, applicants lacking valid Social Security numbers may submit alternative identification, including foreign passports or licenses from other countries. Applicants must obtain a learner’s permit and pass a road test.
The Justice Department contended the law interferes with federal immigration enforcement, particularly citing a provision requiring the state Department of Motor Vehicles commissioner to notify license holders when federal immigration agencies request their information. Nardacci referenced prior judicial rulings, including a decision by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which states driver information remains accessible to federal authorities through lawful court orders or warrants.
During President Donald Trump’s first term, the administration attempted to pressure New York into modifying the law by temporarily barring state residents from trusted traveler programs—a restriction later lifted after a legal dispute. The ruling maintains the Green Light Law in effect as federal litigation over state and federal authority in immigration matters continues. The Department of Justice has not yet announced plans to appeal the decision.
