Immigration (Driver Licenses & IDs)

failed · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6169: Establishing the offense of migrant trafficking

Criminalizes the act of engaging in any scheme, plan or pattern to transport an undocumented immigrant from any location outside of New York state to a location within New York state with the intent of dropping such person off in any municipality or federal property located wholly within New York state boundaries or to transport an undocumented immigrant from any location within New York state to another location within New York state with the intent of dropping such person off in any municipality or federal property located wholly within New York state boundaries.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationCriminalizes transporting undocumented immigrants within NY, restricting movement and increasing state enforcement against undocumented individuals.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 8539: Establishes the New York state ICE-free zones act

Establishes the New York state ICE-free zones act to prohibit the use of state or municipal property for civil immigration enforcement activity; requires signage to be posted at the entrance to state or municipal property or other areas that are accessible to the public stating that civil immigration enforcement activity is not allowed; provides an exception that civil immigration activity may be conducted on such property pursuant to a valid judicial warrant specifying that such activity may be conducted on such property for a specified purpose.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits state/municipal property use for ICE enforcement, limiting federal cooperation - key support indicator for immigrant protections95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jun 3, 2026

A 675: Relates to enacting the empire state licensing act; repealer

Enacts the empire state licensing act to provide all New Yorkers with access to professional, occupational, commercial, or business licenses, permits, certificates, or related registrations regardless of an applicant's citizenship or immigration status.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationRemoves immigration status barriers for professional licensing, enabling access to services for all New Yorkers per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Citizenship & Naturalization Driver Licenses & IDs

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4553: Requires New York city identity cards to be accepted as valid written evidence of age or identification

This bill requires businesses selling alcohol and tobacco to accept New York City identity cards as valid proof of age or identification, alongside traditional forms like driver's licenses or passports. It directly affects NYC residents who use the city-issued ID (available to all city residents regardless of immigration status) and businesses that sell age-restricted products. The law amends specific sections of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law and Public Health Law to explicitly include "a valid New York city identity card" as an acceptable form of ID for verifying customers are 21+ for alcohol and tobacco purchases. It does not change who can obtain the NYC ID card but expands the types of ID businesses must accept. The policy change takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationAllows undocumented immigrants to use NYC ID for age verification, expanding access to services without immigration status barriers95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4456: Requires undocumented immigrants to submit to the same level of background checks as lawful immigrants in order to use certain state resources

This bill requires undocumented immigrants to pass the same background checks as lawful immigrants to access certain state benefits, including medical assistance, family support, and safety net programs. To qualify, applicants must verify they have no unaddressed substance use disorders (if receiving treatment), no ties to terrorist groups or totalitarian parties, no felony convictions, and no false claims of citizenship. These checks apply specifically to state-funded programs under the social services law, not federal benefits.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRestricts healthcare access for undocumented immigrants by requiring background checks for state medical assistance programs, limiting eligibility.85% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill restricts undocumented immigrants' access to state benefits by imposing mandatory background checks, including felony and terrorism checks, limiting service eligibility.90% confidence

Sub-Topics DACA & Dreamers Driver Licenses & IDs Work Authorization

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5837: Requires employers contracted for work on certain state-funded projects verify employment eligibility of employees

This bill requires employers working on state-funded construction projects (like roads or buildings) to verify every worker's legal right to work in the U.S. using the federal I-9 form and the official verification system. It directly affects contractors and subcontractors hired for state projects by mandating they confirm workers aren't unauthorized noncitizens before starting work. Employers must properly complete and retain I-9 forms, use the federal verification system, and receive confirmation of legal work status. Violations result in a formal warning for the first offense, or fines up to $25,000 or jail time for repeat violations, with the state withholding payment for the project if an unauthorized worker is hired.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill mandates verification of work authorization for state project workers, restricting unauthorized immigrants from employment on state projects, increasing state immigration enforcement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Work Authorization

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7248: Authorizes localities to remove citizenship requirements for police and firefighters in their jurisdictions

This bill allows cities, towns, and villages to eliminate citizenship requirements for police and firefighter positions within their jurisdictions. Local governments can remove these requirements through local laws, rules, or ordinances without needing state approval. The policy directly affects public safety hiring standards in all municipalities across the state. It takes effect immediately upon enactment, giving local leaders flexibility to adjust hiring practices.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationRemoves citizenship barriers for public safety hiring, enabling immigrant participation in community roles, aligns with immigrant integration support95% confidence

Sub-Topics Citizenship & Naturalization Driver Licenses & IDs

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failed · New York · Assembly May 19, 2026

A 2261: Prohibits the governor from preventing or inhibiting state agency cooperation with the federal government for the purposes of immigration enforcement

Prohibits the governor from preventing or inhibiting state agency cooperation with the federal government for the purposes of immigration enforcement; prohibits state agencies from preventing or inhibiting collaboration with federal agencies for the purposes of federal immigration enforcement.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationMandates state agency cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of increased enforcement collaboration.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · New York · Senate Feb 9, 2026

S 2235: Prohibits and regulates the discovery and disclosure of immigration status; repealer

Prohibits and regulates the discovery and disclosure of immigration status; prohibits police officers, peace officers, school resource officers, probation agencies, state entities, state employees, and municipal corporations from questioning individuals regarding their citizenship or immigration status; regulates the disclosure of information relating to immigration status; prohibits an educational agency, higher education agency, school employee, school safety personnel, or third-party contractor from collecting information about a person's citizenship, immigration status, nationality, or country of origin, unless required by law or necessary to administer a public program or benefit sought by such person.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts law enforcement questioning on immigration status, protecting civil rights and reducing potential abuse, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits state entities from questioning immigration status, limiting cooperation with federal enforcement. Protects immigrant privacy and aligns with sanctuary policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Probation & Parole Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7255: Relates to the imposition of securing orders for felony crimes committed by individuals without permanent residency status

Relates to the imposition of securing orders for felonies by individuals without permanent residency status; provides such individuals shall be remanded to the custody of the sheriff for the entirety of the judicial proceedings related thereto.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates detention of non-resident felons without bail, restricting defendant rights during proceedings per bill's remand requirement.85% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill mandates custody of non-residents for felonies, increasing state enforcement against undocumented immigrants per explicit language on remand to sheriff.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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