Congresswoman Claudia Tenney has reintroduced the Red Light Act, aiming to withhold federal highway funding from states that issue driver's licenses or identification cards to undocumented immigrants. This move comes amidst ongoing national discussions about immigration policy and border security. Tenney argues that such state policies incentivize illegal immigration and compromise public safety.
The Red Light Act specifically targets states like New York, where the Green Light Law permits undocumented individuals to obtain driver's licenses. Tenney criticizes this law, asserting that it enables dangerous individuals to operate vehicles and restricts law enforcement access to DMV records. She emphasizes the need for states to comply with national immigration laws and argues that federal funding should not support policies that contradict these laws.
The 2019 Green Light Law, signed by former Governor Andrew Cuomo, has drawn criticism from law enforcement officials who argue it obstructs their ability to enforce immigration laws. Former ICE Director Tom Homan, Trump's pick for border czar, has even suggested preventing vehicles with New York license plates from crossing the Canadian border if the state doesn't repeal the Green Light Law. New York Governor Kathy Hochul has expressed her willingness to discuss the matter.
The proposed Red Light Act would empower the Secretary of Transportation to withhold the entirety of a state's federal highway funding allocation for fiscal year 2025 and subsequent years. These funds could then be redistributed to states that rescind laws providing identification to individuals residing in the country illegally. This legislation marks a significant development in the ongoing debate surrounding immigration and state rights.
