New York Mayor and Democratic presidential contender Bill de Blasio said that he supports allowing everyone, including those who are undocumented, to get a driver’s license in New York.
In a video originally posted Thursday to Twitter, then reposted Monday, the mayor urges passage of the so-called “Green Light NY” bill, which would allow illegal immigrants access to the “standard license,” one of three types of licenses the federal government is set to roll out in 2020.
“You know, when I’m in New York City traffic, I’m not thinking about whether someone is documented or undocumented. I’m thinking about whether someone drives safely, and the best way to make sure that people drive safe is if they have a driver’s license,” de Blasio said.
“I believe in driver’s licenses for all. I believe that all New Yorkers, regardless of documentation status, need to be able to get a license the right way. It’s about fairness, but it’s also about safety for all of us and for our families,” he added. “I ask everyone to weigh in, driver’s licenses for all. It’s fair. It’s smart. It’s safe.”
When you’re in New York City traffic, you’re not thinking about the documentation status of the driver behind you. You care that they have a driver’s license. pic.twitter.com/bQj8vNCsUk
— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) June 17, 2019
The bill passed the New York state Assembly 86-41 last week and the New York state Senate 33-29 Monday night. It appears likely that Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo will sign the bill into law. Cuomo expressed concerns that the information in the application process could be used by federal authorities to deport undocumented immigrants, but Counsel to the Governor Alphonso David said in a statement that Attorney General Letitia James reviewed to bill to ensure there were safeguards in place.
“With that said, based on the Attorney General’s representation, the Governor will sign the bill,” David said. “The key to this bill is not the political intent but the legal effect. We hope the Attorney General’s assessment is correct for the safety of the thousands of undocumented individuals who are relying on her legal opinion.”
If the measure gets signed into law, New York would join 12 other states that allow illegal immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses.
A RealClearPolitics national average of polls has de Blasio at 0.2% support nationwide, although he did manage to gain entrance into the first round of Democratic debates.
