BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) - Erie County Clerk Mickey Kearns, and other county clerks who refuse to give a driver's license to an illegal immigrant, face a new way to be removed from office after a bill introduced in the State Senate would add another avenue for the governor to remove clerks from office.
The bill, which was introduced by Brooklyn democrat Luis Sepulveda, authorizes the governor to remove a county clerk from office for "neglect of duties".
Kearns has insisted multiple times over the last year that he will not issue a license to undocumented immigrants if they apply for one, even if it becomes legal in New York State. He cited federal law as the reason.
"It's not going to happen," Kearns said. "I took an oath of office and when I took that oath of office, (it said I) would follow the laws of the constitution and the federal government. Right now, those people who are here are here illegally. They have not followed federal law. I'm not going to comply."
The clerk, a former state lawmaker, said the governor has had multiple opportunities to remove corrupt politicians.
Governor Cuomo has previously said he supports giving illegals a license. There is no matching bill in the assembly.
"If the legislature decides to pass that bill in the assembly...I'll just withhold sending money to Albany," Kearns said. "We will be just like the Seneca Nation. I will put that money in escrow and you're not getting any money anymore."
