New York Politicians Ignore Public’s Opposition To Driver’s Licenses For Illegal Aliens



While New York’s elected officials have never shied away from approving laws or policies that afford generous benefits to illegal aliens, like in-state tuition, workers compensation and free health care (which they’re now receiving), voters are clearly opposed to a proposal that would give them driver’s licenses. And the numbers prove it.

A recent Siena College poll found 61 percent of New Yorkers are opposed to giving driver’s licenses to illegal aliens, including 45 percent of those who identify as Democrats, 84 percent of Republicans, and 71 percent of Independents. Only 34 percent actually support the idea. In another survey, Quinnipiac University found 57 percent of New Yorkers opposed—and even 48 percent of those living in New York City, where most of the state’s illegal aliens are concentrated.

Yet evidently none of that means much to Democrats in Albany, who are mulling a last-ditch effort to ram through legislation before they’re scheduled to adjourn on June 19. In fact, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D) told reporters just last month the Assembly “is supportive of driver’s licenses for all” and plans to move ahead with Assembly Bill (A.) 3675, or the “Green Light Bill,” as it’s colloquially known.

To make matters worse, Heastie believes New Yorkers suffer from an “education problem” and has ordered his caucus to lecture their own constituents about how illegal aliens are victims of unjust laws and why they deserve the same privileges as American citizens. He’s betting large that voters will lend their support to the bill after being indoctrinated with propaganda. However, he just might be gravely mistaken.

If anything, the Green Light Bill has stirred up a hornet’s nest across the Empire State. So much, in fact, that state and local officials are denouncing it from one end of the state to the other.

State Senator Daphne Jordan (R), who represents parts of Saratoga and Rensselaer counties, spoke out against the bill at a recent press conference, saying, “[t]his is about our laws … giving driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants will make our roadways less safe, impair the ability of law enforcement to do their job, and increase the possibility for fraud and other forms of identification theft.”


She’s not alone. Dozens of legislators, sheriffs, and county clerks have made similar statements, and at least five counties have already adopted resolutions opposing the Green Light Bill: Alleghany, Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Niagara, and Saratoga. A sixth resolution awaits a hearing in Erie County, the state’s most populous county outside the greater New York City area. On top of that, the New York State Association of County Clerks has even threatened legal action against the state should the proposal become law.

This isn’t the opposition’s first rodeo though. Former Governor Eliot Spitzer (D) pushed a similar bill in 2007, but was forced to withdraw it after facing a firestorm of opposition from Republicans and even many Democrats, including then-Erie County Clerk Kathy Hochul (D), who’s now the lieutenant governor. She has since changed her position.

Unlike Spitzer, the current Democrat-controlled legislature is looking to make good on campaign promises this year. Also, the open-borders lobby has a lot of them over the barrel thanks to a large and well-funded campaign. Since January, the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) has funneled more than $1 million towards its Super PAC in an effort to influence votes, saying it “means business this year.”

Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) has stated publicly that he’ll sign the bill should the legislature send it to him. However, he might be speaking out of both sides of his mouth. It’s rumored he has concerns about the bill causing “political blowback” and is encouraging vulnerable senators from competitive districts to derail it. 

If Cuomo were smart, he’d put up a red light for the Green Light Bill and tell the Democrats to stand down or risk upsetting more than half of the state’s voters. Even if he did it privately, the Democrats would be wise to heed that warning because New Yorkers are against giving illegal aliens a “green light” for driver’s licenses.

About Author

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Colton joined FAIR in 2018 as a legislative advisor for state and local policy. Prior to FAIR, Colton responded to constituent needs and legislative issues in the offices of U.S. Senator Thom Tillis and U.S. Representatives Virginia Foxx, Mark Meadows, and Richard Hudson. His congressional service covered a wide range of policy issues including agriculture, immigration, health care, welfare, and economic development. Before this, he was responsible for direct lobbying, grassroots mobilization, and strategic initiatives for several advocacy groups, including the North Carolina Association of Realtors, the Susan B. Anthony List, and Concerned Veterans for America. Colton holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Sociology from Western Carolina University.

5 Comments

  1. Pingback: In Fact, Neither France Nor The U.S. Belong To Illegal Aliens – Dr. Rich Swier

  2. avatar

    Figures that Cuomo would be double dealing on the issue. Says he’s for it and then tries to get legislators to kill it before it gets to his desk. Another profile in courage in American politics. Worthless soulless for-sale idiots, 90% of them. We need to stop talking about sending more troops to the middle east. Nothing wrong with turning the screws on Iran economically, it’s our real power, but we need less military intervention, not more. It only ends up in one disaster after another.

    Where we do need troops is at our southern border where citizens from other countries are pouring in literally unchecked by the hundreds of thousands. We are being INVADED by people who we don’t have the slightest idea who they are, and our leadership does nothing. One side may be worse than the other on the issue but it’s all the same result. We all knew Trump was going to be a 3 ring circus but were ok with it if he did what he said.

    But he threatens to shut down the border and then says he will do it in a year if Mexico doesn’t change. A year??? Do it and let the chips fall where they may. If he is not going to do anything but talk, then maybe he needs a primary opponent like Jim Jordan or Ron Paul. Someone anyone who is going to put this country first. The Democrats plan of course is more amnesty and more billions in aid to the Central American countries, the same “solutions” that have failed for decades and are designed to fail. And their sheep voters fall for it. At least GOP voters gave the party establishment the middle finger in 2016. Ten years ago Democrats were all calling for border security and now everything they work for gives us open borders. The old saying: With friends like this, who needs enemies.

  3. avatar

    The Polls are Rigged Against Immigration Enforcement

    They recently have Trump behind Biden in Pennsylvania by 9 points, Hillary had the same lead in the PA polls in 2016 and lost by 1 point to Trump.

    The MSM polls are a joke. Build the WALL!