Erie County Comptroller Stefan Mychajliw Jr. and Erie County Clerk Michael Kearns are criticizing a state law passed during the COVID-19 pandemic that restricts law enforcement agencies from sharing certain Department of Motor Vehicles information with other agencies involved in immigration enforcement.
The law, included in the state budget adopted in April, makes it a felony for law enforcement officers to share DMV data with agencies that enforce federal immigration laws. Mychajliw and Kearns argue that the measure creates public safety risks and undermines cooperation among law enforcement agencies.
Both officials called on Governor Andrew Cuomo to reverse the policy, saying it was enacted during the pandemic with little public attention.
Mychajliw said the law places unnecessary restrictions on police officers and could interfere with their ability to do their jobs effectively. He also linked the new restrictions to the previously enacted Green Light law, which allows undocumented immigrants to obtain New York State driver’s licenses.
Kearns, who oversees DMV operations in Erie County, said he remains opposed to the Green Light law and has filed a lawsuit challenging it. He argued that the new restrictions on information sharing further complicate law enforcement efforts and create conflicts for officers tasked with public safety responsibilities.
The two officials said they believe law enforcement agencies must be able to share relevant information to investigate crimes and protect communities. They expressed concern that the new law could discourage communication between agencies due to fear of criminal penalties.
Mychajliw also raised broader concerns about border enforcement and immigration policy, stating his support for legal immigration while opposing policies he believes weaken enforcement of existing laws.
Kearns said the restrictions could place police officers in difficult positions when dealing with suspects connected to federal investigations, adding that limitations on information sharing may hinder efforts to prevent crime.
Both officials said they plan to continue advocating for changes to the law, arguing that public safety and effective law enforcement depend on clear communication and cooperation among agencies.
