Controversial Bill Would Let Illegal Immigrants Apply for Driver’s Licenses

The state Legislature will consider a controversial bill next year that would allow illegal immigrants to apply for a driver’s license — and Gov. Andrew Cuomo will sign it if it passes, the governor’s office said.

Alphonso David, Cuomo’s legal counsel, disclosed the plan during a panel discussion last week at the New York Hispanic Legislators’ postelection conference.

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A dozen states and Washington, DC, already allow illegal immigrants to apply for driver’s licenses.

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Even with a driver’s license, illegal immigrants wouldn’t have the right to vote. Various attempts in the City Council to allow noncitizens to vote in local elections have fizzled, most recently in 2015.

The Driver’s License Access and Privacy Act is sponsored by Assemblyman Marcos Crespo and Sen. Luis Supulveda, both Bronx Democrats.

Republicans who previously blocked the measure said they’re eager to see whether the new Democrats elected to the Senate in suburban Long Island — a stronghold of the violent MS-13 gang — support it. If they do, Republicans could use that against them in the 2020 elections.

“This is the ‘New, New York,’ ” said Sen. Fred Akshar (R-Binghamton), who opposes the bill. “You’d be hard-pressed to find support for this bill outside the five boroughs of New York City. People think we should be taking care of legal citizens.

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