A coalition of congressional representatives, led by Rep. Nicholas Langworthy (R-NY), has called on New York Governor Kathy Hochul to repeal the state’s controversial Green Light Law, citing its impact on public safety and immigration enforcement.
In a letter dated January 9, Langworthy and four other representatives argued that the law’s restrictions on information sharing between the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), local law enforcement, and federal immigration authorities undermine efforts to address an ongoing influx of migrants and related criminal activity.
The Green Light Law, enacted in 2019, allows undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses while limiting the DMV’s ability to share data with federal immigration authorities. The letter alleges this restriction has contributed to safety concerns, especially along New York’s northern border, where border patrol apprehensions reportedly increased by 50-fold in 2024.
The lawmakers pointed to statistics suggesting a significant share of crimes in New York City involve migrants. They cited figures from mid-2024 indicating migrants accounted for 75% of arrests in Midtown Manhattan for offenses like robbery and assault. The letter also referenced the Department of Homeland Security’s 2025 Homeland Threat Assessment, warning of continued exploitation of migration flows by individuals with ties to terrorism.
Langworthy and his colleagues called the Green Light Law “dangerous and indefensible,” urging Governor Hochul to eliminate provisions that block collaboration between state and federal authorities. The letter highlights the unique challenges faced by New York, a sanctuary state with significant migrant populations and high-profile infrastructure often considered potential targets.
Governor Hochul’s office has yet to respond publicly to the letter or indicate whether changes to the law are under consideration.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].