A federal judge has rejected a legal challenge by the Trump administration seeking to block New York’s Green Light Law, which allows the state to issue driver’s licenses without requiring proof of lawful immigration status.
Eko Hot News reports that U.S. District Judge Anne Nardacci, sitting in Albany, ruled on Tuesday that the Trump administration failed to establish that the law violates federal authority or the U.S. Constitution.
In her decision, Judge Nardacci said the Department of Justice did not sufficiently support claims that provisions of the Green Light Law are preempted by federal law, unlawfully regulate the federal government, or discriminate against it.
The lawsuit, filed by the DOJ in February, argued that the New York statute violates the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause, which gives federal law precedence over state law. The administration sought a court order blocking the enforcement of the law.
The defendants named in the suit included the State of New York, Governor Kathy Hochul, and Attorney General Letitia James, both Democrats.
Federal lawyers specifically challenged three provisions of the law. One provision bars the Department of Motor Vehicles from sharing applicants’ records with agencies that primarily enforce immigration law unless a court order or warrant is presented.
Another contested provision requires any individual with access to DMV records to formally certify that they will not disclose the information unlawfully.
The third provision mandates that the DMV notify license applicants within three days if federal immigration authorities request their personal information or records.
Judge Nardacci acknowledged that immigration enforcement is a politically sensitive issue. However, she stressed that the court’s role is not to weigh policy preferences but to determine whether the plaintiffs proved a constitutional violation.
“The Court’s role is not to evaluate the desirability of the Green Light Law as a policy matter,” Nardacci wrote, “but rather to assess whether the plaintiffs have established that the challenged provisions violate the Supremacy Clause.”
She concluded that the Trump administration failed to state a valid constitutional claim, leading to the dismissal of the challenge.
New York lawmakers originally enacted the Green Light Law as a public safety measure. Supporters argued that allowing undocumented residents to obtain licenses would reduce untested and uninsured driving on state roads.
State officials have consistently defended the law, saying it improves road safety while protecting the privacy rights of residents.
The ruling marks another legal setback for efforts by the Trump administration to challenge state-level policies designed to limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
As of the time of filing, the Department of Justice had not issued a public response to the court’s decision.
The judgment ensures that New York will continue enforcing the Green Light Law, maintaining its current approach to driver’s licensing and data protection.
