New York may soon OK licenses for immigrants in US illegally

In this April 5, 2019, file photo, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection vehicle sits near the wall as President Donald Trump visits a new section of the border wall with Mexico in Calexico. (AP)

ALBANY, New York — New York state could soon become the 13th state to authorize driver’s licenses to immigrants who entered the U.S. illegally.

The state Senate will vote on the proposal Monday. The Assembly approved the measure last week.

Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo had expressed support for the measure but on Monday said he was concerned that U.S. immigration officials could use state license information to target immigrants for deportation.

He said he would wait for the state attorney general’s office to weigh in before deciding whether to sign the measure.

Supporters include the Business Council of New York State, the state’s largest business organization and immigrant advocates who say immigrants need licenses to get to work and complete everyday tasks.

Republican lawmakers, however, say people shouldn’t be rewarded for violating immigration rules.