Immigration
DHS Lifts Trusted Traveler Program Ban After NY Amends ‘Dangerous’ ‘Green Light Law’
New York’s ‘Green Light Law’ was amended recently to allow federal law enforcement access to the State’s Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) records that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) says is vital to protecting American national security, according to a Thursday press release. Moreover, access to the records helps DHS agencies to thwart potential terrorist and criminal activity, according to the Department.
“We appreciate the information sharing to CBP for the trusted travel program, which enables DHS to move forward and begin once again processing New York residents under the Trusted Travel Program. Nonetheless, local New York law continues to maintain provisions that undermine the security of the American people and purport to criminalize information sharing between law enforcement entities,” Acting Secretary Wolf said in a statement Thursday.
“The Green Light Law ultimately undermines the efforts of law enforcement officers, criminalizing their mission to secure the nation and the American people from threats and furthering the risk to their own lives. When jurisdictions like New York fail to cooperate with federal authorities, they operate more like refuges from criminal behavior, not sanctuary havens.”
With the change, federal law enforcement will be able to access DMV records “as necessary for an individual seeking acceptance into a trusted traveler program, or to facilitate vehicle imports and/or exports.” However, there are still more steps DHS says need to be taken in order to ensure the safety of New Yorkers and the American people as a whole.
According to the press release, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are still blocked from receiving some information from law enforcement and could face felony charges for breaking that order. DHS is consulting the Department of Justice (DOJ) “to determine appropriate legal actions to address these problems.”
In February, CBP blocked New York residents from applying for any Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP). That was because of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s decision to enact “Green Light Laws,” meaning many criminals could go under the radar of federal law enforcement and/or seek sanctuary in New York to do so because information on such individuals would be blocked from federal law enforcement officials.
As a result, CBP took action by barring New Yorkers from applying for or renewing Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, and FAST. That all changed Thursday, however, according to DHS.
“In New York alone, last year ICE arrested 149 child predators, identified or rescued 105 victims of exploitation and human trafficking, arrested 230 gang members, and seized 6,487 pounds of illegal narcotics, including fentanyl and opioids,” Wolf wrote in a letter to top New York state officials on February 5. “In the vast majority of these cases, ICE relied on New York DMV records to fulfill its mission.”
Wolf added that the law “compromises CBP’s ability to confirm whether an individual applying for TTP membership meets program eligibility requirements,” and will “delay[] a used vehicle owner’s ability to obtain CBP authorization for exporting their vehicle.”
Immigration
Former President Bill Clinton and Gov. Kathy Hochul Call for Changes to New York City’s “Right to Shelter Law”
In a surprising turn of events, former President Bill Clinton has joined forces with New York Governor Kathy Hochul in advocating for significant modifications to New York City’s long-standing “Right to Shelter Law.”
According to reports from Fox News, during an interview with radio host John Catsimatidis on 77 WABC radio’s “The Cats Roundtable” show, Clinton expressed his belief that the law, which mandates shelter for the homeless, should be revised given the current circumstances.
“Gov. [Kathy] Hochul thinks it should be modified, and it probably should under the circumstances,” Clinton remarked, acknowledging the need for change. He went on to assert that the existing law is fundamentally flawed, stating, “It’s broken. We need to fix it. It doesn’t make any sense.”
The “Right to Shelter Law” has been a fixture of New York City for over four decades and is aimed at ensuring that the homeless population has access to shelter. Moreover, New York City is often referred to as a sanctuary city, welcoming migrants and providing them with certain protections.
However, Clinton pointed out a specific concern related to this policy. He expressed his view that the city’s obligation to provide shelter extends to individuals who may not have work permits for up to six months after their arrival, raising questions about its practicality.
Furthermore, Clinton argued that migrants should have the opportunity to begin “paying their way” into American society through gainful employment and self-sufficiency.
“They ought to work,” Clinton asserted, emphasizing the importance of migrants entering the workforce, paying taxes, and supporting themselves economically. He noted that many migrants have no desire to rely on welfare assistance.
In addition to addressing the “Right to Shelter Law,” Clinton emphasized the role of immigrants in shoring up the American economy due to the nation’s low birth rate. He suggested that the United States should consider constructing more housing options near the border with Mexico to accommodate migrants, with the support of the Mexican government.
This approach, according to Clinton, would allow individuals to reside near the border while awaiting opportunities to find work and contribute positively to American society.
Clinton also acknowledged the political ramifications of the ongoing immigration crisis, acknowledging that it has been advantageous for Republicans. He attributed this to the inadequacies in the immigration system and a lack of sufficient border facilities.
The former president concluded by addressing the recent political losses suffered by Democrats in New York, attributing them in part to the perceived mishandling of the immigration issue. He stressed the need for his party to adopt a more “commonsense approach” to the challenges posed by migration.
The alignment of views between former President Bill Clinton and Governor Kathy Hochul on the need for changes to the “Right to Shelter Law” highlights the complexities and evolving dynamics surrounding immigration policy in the United States, particularly in major metropolitan areas like New York City.
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