GOP Lawmakers, Sheriffs Weigh In On Driver’s License Issue

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Several Republican elected officials are voicing their opposition to a proposal in the Democrat-controlled New York state Legislature to issue driver's licenses to immigrants in the country illegally.

State Sen. Daphne Jordan, of Saratoga County, and Assemblyman Jake Ashby, of Rensselaer County, will be holding a news conference Tuesday morning at the Department of Motor Vehicles office in Troy, where they'll be joined by other local GOP officials.

All of them say providing licenses to those without legal immigration status is a bad idea for New York state. The Republicans say such a move will jeopardize traffic safety and compromise public security.

Senate legislation sponsored by Bronx Democrat Luis Sepúlveda would allow immigrants in the U.S. illegally to obtain licenses, something that's already allowed in 12 states.