New York's Green Light Law, signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo earlier this year and expected to go into effect on Monday, will allow illegal immigrants the opportunity to apply for driver's licenses. That's despite the effort of several county clerks.
A full 50 percent of the New York clerks oppose the law.
50% + NYS County Clerks want "Green Light Law" delayed https://t.co/J2FDn2jch6 pic.twitter.com/CySFkNVq3J
— Newsnet14895 (@newsnet14895) December 13, 2019
Two have even filed lawsuits, but as of Friday both have been rejected. U.S. District Judge Elizabeth Wolford dismissed Erie County clerk Michael Kearns's lawsuit last month. Then, on Friday, Rensselaer County Clerk Frank Merola's effort was squashed by U.S. District Judge Gary Sharpe of the Northern District of New York.
In both cases, the judges refused to rule on the actual merits.
NEW: U.S. District Judge Gary Sharpe has dismissed a lawsuit challenging New York's Green Light Law, which will allow undocumented immigrants to apply for driver's licenses.
— Jon Campbell (@JonCampbellGAN) December 13, 2019
He did not, however, rule on the merits of the case. pic.twitter.com/ceorEog4h4
"If they're not open to decide on the constitutionality of this law, then I say when the hell are they open?" Kearns asked in a press conference.
Merola felt the same.
"I am at a loss to understand who could challenge this statute, if not me," he told Townhall last month. "I have long served as County Clerk in Rensselaer County. I have personal experience with the issues involved in this case, and a personal stake in its outcome."
They still plan to fight this thing. Kearns has appealed Judge Wolford's decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
"Don't get in your car, don't come," he added. "Because I will not be issuing a driver's license to any illegal immigrants."