New York’s Controversial ‘No Name Given’ CDL Issuance

New York Issues Controversial ‘No Name Given’ Commercial Driver’s License to Migrant

New York has come under fire following the revelation that a man arrested in an Oklahoma raid of illegal immigrants held a commercial driver’s license (CDL) issued by the state, which lists his first and middle names as “No Name Given.” This incident has triggered significant criticism from Oklahoma officials, including Governor Kevin Stitt, who has called out New York for its policies regarding the issuance of driver’s licenses to undocumented individuals.

Stitt expressed his concerns by stating that if New York is willing to issue CDLs with “No Name Given” to illegal immigrants, the responsibility falls on the state. The New York Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has confirmed that the license in question is authentic, issued on April 14, 2023, and set to expire on May 26, 2028. A DMV spokesman clarified that the license was issued in accordance with established procedures, which included identity verification based on federally issued documentation.

Verification Process Explained

According to the DMV, the individual who received the license has lawful status in the U.S. through federal employment authorization, thus aligning the license issuance with federal guidelines. However, the specific program or documentation that verified the individual’s identity for the DMV has not been detailed. The DMV has mentioned that it is not uncommon for individuals from some cultures to have only one name, which may explain the “No Name Given” designation.

Concerns Regarding Public Safety

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported that, during their operation, they found several commercial drivers possessing licenses issued from various “sanctuary states,” including the controversial one from New York. Stitt’s office has stressed that these individuals represent a public safety threat by operating large commercial vehicles without sufficient verification that they meet all required standards.

Political Ramifications

U.S. Representative Elise Stefanik has voiced her disapproval of New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s handling of the situation, attributing the incident to the “Green Light Law.” This law allows non-citizens to obtain driver’s licenses in New York; however, it does not specifically authorize the issuance of commercial driver’s licenses. The DMV has affirmed that under this law, individuals are unable to receive a CDL if their standard license was granted under its provisions.

Legal Challenges and Privacy Issues

The Department of Justice has launched a federal lawsuit against New York’s Green Light Law, describing it as an infringement on federal immigration enforcement. Furthermore, the DMV’s database is not accessible to federal immigration enforcement agencies, raising further concerns about the integrity of the documentation process. Notably, the DMV’s verification protocols also require a Social Security number or proof of eligibility to acquire one, posing challenges for undocumented immigrants.

Cultural Context

Research indicates that certain cultures, including the Javanese people from Indonesia, are known to commonly use mononyms, which might provide context for the “No Name Given” designation. Despite the DMV’s explanation regarding naming conventions, many questions remain unanswered about the number of similar licenses that have been issued and the procedures followed.

Federal Oversight Issues

In light of the ongoing discourse, the U.S. Department of Transportation has put a pause on issuing commercial driver’s licenses to immigrants, although it is unclear how this affects the specifics of licenses in Oklahoma. There have been documented allegations of fraud connected with New York’s driver’s license program for non-residents, suggesting some undocumented immigrants may have secured licenses improperly.

The controversy surrounding the “No Name Given” commercial driver’s license raises important issues about state policies versus federal regulations, public safety, and the complexities of immigration status verification in the U.S.