A federal judge on Tuesday declined to block New York’s so‑called Green Light Law, ruling that the federal government failed to show the state statute conflicts with federal immigration law.
U.S. District Judge Anne M. Nardacci, sitting in Albany and appointed by President Joe Biden, issued a 23‑page opinion finding that the Justice Department did not meet its burden to demonstrate a Supremacy Clause violation. The judge said it was not her role to weigh the policy merits of the law, but to determine whether the federal government had established that the state measure unlawfully preempts federal immigration authority — a showing she found lacking.
What the Law Does
Enacted to improve road safety and reduce the number of uninsured drivers, New York’s Green Light Law allows people who cannot produce a valid Social Security number to apply for a standard driver’s license using alternative identity documents such as foreign passports or foreign driver’s licenses. Applicants still must obtain a learner's permit and pass the required road test. The law does not apply to commercial driver’s licenses.
The Lawsuit
The Justice Department filed suit in February, naming Gov. Kathy Hochul and New York Attorney General Letitia James as defendants. The federal complaint argued the state statute interferes with federal immigration enforcement and pointed to a provision that requires the state Department of Motor Vehicles to notify individuals if a federal immigration agency requests their records.
Attorney General Pam Bondi, with U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro behind, pauses while speaking during a news conference at the Department of Justice, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
“As I said from the start, our laws protect the rights of all New Yorkers and keep our communities safe,” said New York Attorney General Letitia James, pledging to defend the statute.
At a public announcement of the lawsuit, Justice Department officials criticized the law as prioritizing noncitizens over citizens. The Department said access to state driver information could aid federal immigration enforcement; the state has maintained the law balances public safety and privacy concerns.
Judge's Reasoning and Practical Impact
Judge Nardacci concluded that the complaint failed to show the Green Light Law is preempted by federal law. She also noted — consistent with prior 2nd U.S. Circuit guidance in related litigation — that federal immigration authorities retain a legal path to obtain New York driver records when appropriate via court orders or warrants.
The ruling preserves New York’s approach to licensing for now and reinforces that disputes over immigration policy are generally for Congress and the executive branch to decide, while courts evaluate whether a state law actually conflicts with federal law.
Background
The Green Light Law previously triggered a standoff in 2020 when the federal government temporarily blocked New Yorkers from enrolling in certain trusted‑traveler programs as leverage. That dispute ended after limited concessions and restoration of federal program access.
The current decision does not resolve all potential legal challenges, but it is a clear victory for the state and for advocates who argue the law promotes road safety and insurance coverage for drivers who otherwise would drive unlicensed and uninsured.
