NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – Next weekend New York State will begin issuing driver’s licenses to people who are in the U.S. illegally.
The issue has been controversial since it was first proposed, but what’s known as the “Green Light Law” was passed earlier this year and signed by Gov. Cuomo, making the Empire State the 13th in the country to provide licenses to undocumented immigrants.
Applicants won’t need social security numbers, but they will have to sign an affidavit that they haven’t been issued one.
Unexpired passports from other countries and foreign driver’s licenses will be among the records accepted.
The state will begin issuing the licenses next Saturday.
It’s estimated that as many as 80,000 people in New York may be eligible for the new licenses.
Advocates say the law will make streets safer by ensuring all drivers are tested, licensed and insured.
A Siena College poll earlier this year found that a majority of New York State residents oppose the law, with 53 percent against it and 41 percent supportive of it.
Multiple lawsuits have been filed over the law on the basis that it is unconstitutional. A federal judge dismissed one of those cases earlier this year.