“It is completely inappropriate for New York State to consider passing a bill that will offer drivers' licenses to those who have failed to follow the rules of our immigration process”, said Assemblyman Santabarbara. “Passing this bill will serve as an injustice to immigrants like my parents. They came to New York as immigrants from the Province of Caserta in the Campania region of Italy, my mother in 1967 and my father in 1971. Like many immigrants before them, they now call the United States of America their home – but they did it the right way – they followed the rules of our immigration process. And because they did, I was the first in my family to be born here,” Santabarbara said.

“Many county clerk offices across the state have also expressed their opposition to bill – and for good reason,” Santabarbara added. “In addition to the legal and technical issues – the lax identification requirements put the safety of our communities at risk. Under this bill clerks’ offices will not be able to truly identify individuals – legislators should listen to these concerns,” Santabarbara said. “I will be voting NO on the Green Light bill and will be encouraging others to do the same. Those who seek the privileges that come with being a citizen of this great country should follow the same rules my parents once did.”