New York county clerk files lawsuit questioning constitutionality of Green Light Law
Erie County clerk Michael Kearns speaks out against New York law granting driver's licenses to illegal immigrants.
An upstate New York clerk plans to file a federal lawsuit Tuesday against a new state law that grants driver's licenses for illegal immigrants.
Michael Kearns, the Erie County Clerk, said the measure — signed into law by Gov. Andrew Cuomo last month — violates federal law by granting such licenses. He said he will seek an injunction to block the law while it's reviewed by the court.
"It's definitely unconstitutional and it puts the county clerks in New York state in a terrible position. We risk prosecution under federal law because it is a crime to conceal, harbor or shield an illegal alien," Kearns told "FOX & Friends" on Tuesday.
He continued: "I took an oath of office to uphold the state constitution and the constitution of the United States, so we do believe it's a violation of the federal law."
After the bill was signed into law, Kearns sent a letter to Erie County Attorney Michael Siragusa stating: “I will not be granting driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants."
“After a review of the act, I am convinced that it is inconsistent with federal law,” Kearns wrote in the letter, according to WIVB. “More importantly, however, complying with the act puts me and other county clerks in the untenable position of having to decide whether to uphold federal law or the newly enacted state law. I anticipate being sued in either event.”
OREGON BILL GRANTING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS DRIVER'S LICENSES HEADS TO GOVERNOR'S DESK
Kearns reportedly suggested the bill may be a violation of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, which makes it illegal to knowingly hire illegal immigrants.
Cuomo appeared to show concern for the bill in June after he voiced concerns that U.S. immigration officials could use state license information to target immigrants for deportation.
The governor asked for a legal review by the office of Attorney General Letitia James, who said she supports the bill but wouldn't speculate on the federal response.
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Supporters of the bill — who have said they expected a lawsuit and carefully crafted the law to withstand a legal challenge — include the state Business Council and immigrant advocates who think licenses would help immigrants get jobs.
The law makes New York the 13th state to authorize driver's licenses for immigrants who have entered the U.S. illegally.
Fox News' Talia Kaplan and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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