Understanding the Green Light Law

Long waits are par for the course at most Department of Motor Vehicles offices in the state of New York. On Monday, December 16, 2019, however, many of those in line at these public agencies were happy to have the opportunity to wait to obtain their first driver’s licenses thanks to the Green Light Law passed in the state over the past summer. The law, which only recently went into effect, will allow undocumented immigrants to use alternate forms of identification and verification to obtain driving licenses within the state.

Benefits for Immigrants and for State Agencies

The Green Light Law will help immigrants to manage transportation for themselves and their children to travel to work, school and other necessary destinations. This will often allow them to deal with their responsibilities in a safer and more practical way. By ensuring that more of those on the road are licensed drivers, the new law will also make New York roads safer for all those who travel on the state’s streets and highways.

Details of the New Law

The Driver’s License Access and Privacy Act was signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo on June 17, 2019. This law not only provides a way for undocumented immigrants to use foreign-issued documentation to prove their identity for purposes of driver’s licenses but also prohibits the release of data to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)and other immigration agencies unless expressly required to do so by a court order. This ensures that immigrants can take advantage of the provisions of the new law without fear about their information being used to deport or otherwise prosecute them.

The Value of Solid Legal Representation

For many undocumented immigrants, the Green Light Law represents a ray of hope in an otherwise unwelcoming environment. Working with a qualified and knowledgeable New York immigration lawyer will often provide you and your family with workable solutions for resolving issues with your status or with deportation proceedings that may be ongoing or pending against you or other members of your family. Your New York immigration lawyer will work on your behalf to provide the legal representation you need to deal with these problems and to promote the best solutions for your needs.

At Pozo Goldstein, we work with families throughout the New York area to resolve immigration issues and to provide expert representation for our clients. If you need a qualified New York immigration lawyer, call our team today at 212-201-9031 to schedule a consultation in our office. We look forward to the opportunity to serve you.