ICE Criticism of New York Driver’s Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants
Acting Director of ICE, Todd Lyons, has expressed strong disapproval of New York’s decision to issue commercial driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants, which notably includes individuals from India, who have been detained with IDs lacking proper identification.
His frustration was evident after a truck driver, Anmol Anmol, was apprehended in Oklahoma while using a license that indicated “name not given.” This situation occurred last month, and it raised serious concerns for Lyons.
“It’s genuinely alarming,” Lyons stated during an appearance on FOX News’ “The Big Weekend Show.” He questioned, “What does it say about a state-issued driver’s license if it has ‘No Name Given’ printed on it? And to top it off, there’s a REAL ID star on the corner.” He reflected on his own experiences, saying, “I don’t know about you, but getting a REAL ID felt like going through a rigorous security check.”
Lyons was alluding to the commercial driver’s license that Anmol held at the time of a routine inspection on an I-40 truck scale in Oklahoma.
The ID from New York only displayed Anmol’s last name, with “No Name Given” hidden in the section designated for first and middle names.
On Friday, the Department of Homeland Security revealed that Anmol was arrested by federal agents for having entered the U.S. illegally in 2023 during the Biden administration. Following his arrest, he has entered deportation proceedings.
“It’s hard to believe they would issue a driver’s license to someone who’s here illegally,” Lyons remarked.
Holders of REAL IDs can travel domestically and access federal buildings without needing a passport.
In New York, residents are required to present a variety of documents at the DMV to verify their identity, Social Security number, and state residency.
Details regarding how Anmol acquired the ID remain unclear, although the New York State Department of Transportation confirmed that the license, issued on April 14 and set to expire on May 26, 2028, is authentic.
Lyons criticized policies in some states aimed at being friendly toward undocumented immigrants, stating, “These sanctuary policies are encouraging individuals who lack proper identification.” He noted the seriousness of the situation, especially considering CDL licenses, where drivers might be transporting hazardous materials without proper knowledge.
He called attention to the risks posed by such drivers, linking them to fatalities on the roads. “Just look at how many lives are lost due to drivers like this,” he said. He referenced a tragic incident involving an Indian national, Harjinder Singh, who made an illegal U-turn in his 18-wheeler in Florida, resulting in a crash that claimed three Haitian immigrants’ lives.
Singh had obtained a driver’s license and a work permit in California, along with licenses from both California and Washington state, despite previously failing the English proficiency test and the highway sign test before the August incident.
In response to these issues, Lyons indicated that the DHS is collaborating with federal and local law enforcement to address the situation regarding improper licenses. “Homeland Security Investigations is committed to working with state police and federal agencies to remove these licenses from circulation,” he added.
