A federal judge in the United States has delivered a significant legal victory for the state of New York, upholding its contentious law that permits residents to obtain driver's licences without proving they are in the country legally.
Judge Rejects Federal Challenge
U.S. District Judge Anne M. Nardacci, sitting in Albany, issued the ruling on Tuesday, dismissing a lawsuit brought by the Justice Department under former President Donald Trump. The lawsuit, filed in February 2025, named Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James as defendants, arguing the state's 'Green Light Law' unlawfully interfered with federal immigration enforcement.
In a 23-page opinion, Judge Nardacci, an appointee of President Joe Biden, stated her role was not to assess the policy's merits but to determine if it violated the U.S. Constitution's Supremacy Clause. She concluded the Trump administration had 'failed to state such a claim' and did not prove the state law usurped federal authority or discriminated against the federal government.
Public Safety and Legal Arguments
The Green Light Law, enacted to improve road safety, allows individuals without a valid Social Security number to submit alternative identification, such as a foreign passport or driver's licence. Applicants must still pass standard permit tests and road exams to receive a 'standard driver's license', though the law excludes commercial licences.
Proponents argue it reduces the number of uninsured drivers and ensures more motorists are trained and tested. The Justice Department's suit, spearheaded by then-Attorney General Pam Bondi, labelled the law a 'frontal assault on federal immigration laws', criticising a provision that requires state officials to notify individuals when federal immigration agencies request their data.
Broader Context and Previous Clashes
This legal battle is the latest in a series of conflicts between New York and federal immigration authorities. In 2020, the Trump administration attempted to pressure the state by barring New Yorkers from trusted traveller programmes like Global Entry, a move later reversed after a legal dispute.
In her statement following the ruling, Attorney General Letitia James said, 'As I said from the start, our laws protect the rights of all New Yorkers and keep our communities safe. I will always stand up for New Yorkers and the rule of law.' The judge's decision aligns with a prior ruling from the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, noting federal authorities can still access driver information via a court order or warrant.
