An association of New York police chiefs is supporting President Trump and his administration’s efforts to challenge a controversial New York law that prevents the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles [DMV] agencies from sharing data with federal immigration officials, resulting in the suspension of Global Entry and similar programs for all New York residents by the administration.
The New York State Association of Chiefs of Police, which is made up of police chiefs, commissioners, superintendents, executives, administrators, and agents-in-charge according to their website, sent a letter to Acting Homeland Security Secretary, Chad Wolf, thanking him for notifying leaders of recent actions taken by the Department of Homeland Security [DHS] in response to New York’s “Green Light Law,” and emphasized the importance of sharing information with law enforcement.
The Green Light Law allows illegal immigrants to get a driver’s license in New York, and it also prohibits the state DMV agencies from sharing any criminal records these immigrants may have with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Due to this shortcoming, DHS suspended enrollment in Global Entry and several other Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) for all state residents last week.
The letter written by President Patrick Phelan, said that the association “opposed passage of this regrettable law and we maintain that position today.”
“Our members fully recognize that sharing pertinent law enforcement information and vital resources across local, state and federal boundaries is critical to ensuring the safety of the communities we serve,” the letter said.
“It is our hope that reasonableness will prevail by all involved and that an appropriate resolution can be attained,” the letter continued. “What’s ultimately required is an operational and administrative process that prioritizes public safety for all New Yorkers and serves as its fundamental cornerstone,” the letter said.
Wolf told New York officials that the law “compromises CBP’s ability to confirm whether an individual applying for TTP membership meets program eligibility requirements” in a recent letter.
“This Act and the corresponding lack of security cooperation from the New York DMV requires DHS to take immediate action to ensure DHS’ s efforts to protect the Homeland are not compromised,” he said.
While there is support from the New York police chiefs, there is substantial Democratic opposition, as expected. New York State Attorney General Letitia James has filed a lawsuit against DHS, alleging “political retribution” from the Trump administration. In addition, House Democrats have demanded the DHS to provide documents relating to the decision while calling it a “senseless, retaliatory” move.
Wolf, however, fiercely defended the decision, and said it had nothing to do with the granting of licenses to illegal immigrants, it was more about the law’s unique prohibition on information sharing.
“New York is the only state, that bears repeating, the only state that restricts CBP access to their DMV data across the board, not only for immigration purposes, but for law enforcement purposes, for customs purposes, but also for trade and travel facilitation purposes,” he told Fox News.
Wolf also indicated that applicants are supposed to be subjected to checks and those with criminal records would be disqualified from the program. New York refused to allow CBP check DMV databases in order to properly vet the immigrant applicants.
“Because New York took this action, the department had to respond and take appropriate action to make sure that the rest of the individuals in these programs continue to be able to use the program,” Wolf said. “Without access, we cannot run a proper security check and a risk assessment, and that is simply dangerous.”
A commom sense response to NY’s Green Light Law which is a clear attempt to bypass Federal immigrtaion laws.
The Police Chiefs are a thousand percent right and the green light law allowing illegal immigrants the right to get drivers licenses is the next step for them to vote for these Demo-Rats. All these Demo-Rats want is power and this is just another way for them to get it. They don’t care about the illegal immigrants they care about the future vote. I’m glad their supporting our president maybe more first responders should also. What a great bunch of people.
The Police Chiefs and Police officers defends the US from Obama’s damages Thank you!
Whether you are a Democrat or a republican if you are American and believe in law and order then we must stand up and fight for the greatest country on earth!!! We should not allow our children to be subjected to law and order chosen by any political party only by a truly free and impartial judicial system that guarantees us a fair and honest verdict and we will stand for nothing less!! God Bless America!!!
I’m thinking that the politicians,of new your,AND many other localities,are NOT playing with a full deck.The Police are correct.
As for the inept NY Governor and his equally as dumb, if not twice as dumb Att. General who couldn’t win a case to save her tail from total embarrassment, I.e.: look up her letter to owner’s of “Fantasy Island”. A small amusement park located on Grand Island, NY. Several miles from Niagara Falls, NY. Earlier this week the out of state owner’s quietly shut down two of the theme parks in their portfolio with no fanfare. Concerned season ticket holder’s albeit 150 as announced were demanding information on refunds. A normal concern for the families who support this 60 plus year old local attraction.
One day later this no name, far from effective left hand of Cuomo shows her mediocre skill set, in front of the media making a statement of her aggressiveness (NOT) while displaying the demand letter as to what the ownership is going to do to refund the monies. If you read the letter, it’s got zero enforcement abilities. It’s a CA company that can file Bankruptcy or through their actions try and find a buyer. Anyone with a business sense in legal matter’s,knows all to well these actions to resolve take time. This nitwit Cuomo anointed by her grandstanding has no clue what’s going on.
She’s the same clone of Cuomo trying to fight DHS, ICE for their halting the NEXUS border program at the ports of entry in NY State. All because Cuomo tries to deny the Fed’s the ability to access NY’s DMV s computer files for Plates & license ID.s at the border crossings. She and her Boss Hogg Cuomo ain’t going to win. They show their disdain for protecting our legal resident’s, the border and the airports where there are those who show fraudulent id’s and those who have no business in the state.
The third strike in the DMV mess that Boss Hogg Cuomo & his lame, brainless Atty Gen. is their allowing license to illegals (referred to as Cuomo’s Green Light Law. Illegal’s can be issued driver’s license to drive. ( NYer’s can register to vote and register at any DMV office.) How’s that going to stop he illegals to vote? How many will get away with phony documentations’ to slip by the clown’s behind the window’s at the local DMV office’s? Not ever thinking there are going to be thugs finding ways to bribe their way through the process?
All his brought to NY by the inept elected & Cuomo appointed who have done everything to bankrupt and force millions to get out of NY State for Greener, Safer pastures.
New York Citizen’s and law abiding citizen’s deserve honorable noble LEADER’S. Not what Cuomo’s up to as he spends he week in other states as he investigates how to make “weed” a legal trendsetting top agenda this year. So he’s off to seven states on his ” Weed-[cation ” at of-course, NY taxpayer’s expense. How many state statutes’ will he be violating while he is “investigating”, & sniffing around, what weed will be the best seller to bring in the biggest bang and tax revenue to Albany. Then, just how’s he going to spend it???
All while these dope user’s will put people & society at risk. More than ever before!