ALBANY, NY – On behalf of the New York Smart Growth Coalition, spokesperson Will Brunelle released the following statement today, applauding the State Assembly for passing the “Green Light NY” bill and supporting economic opportunity for hundreds of thousands of immigrant families:

“As we’ve said from the beginning, the Green Light NY bill is common sense legislation that removes needless barriers to economic opportunity, and we are extremely grateful to the bill’s sponsor, Assemblyman Marcos Crespo, and to Speaker Carl Heastie for their support. By creating a process for every New Yorker to undergo driver’s education and take a road test to earn a license, this bill will make it possible for an estimated 265,000 undocumented New Yorkers to get to work, get their children to school, and to shop at their local businesses without fear. We are thrilled to see the Assembly advance this bill and continue fighting to reinstate access to licenses for hardworking, taxpaying immigrant families across New York.

“Immigration is a business issue – employers in every industry, from agriculture to technology, rely on New York’s immigrant community to fill key roles. This law will make it possible for not only every person to achieve true economic mobility, but also for businesses to continue to thrive and support our statewide economy.

“It’s past time for New York to join the 12 other states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, that have already implemented this critical policy. We are confident that this will be a victory for all New Yorkers, making our roads safer and giving hundreds of thousands of newly trained and licensed drivers the opportunity to engage fully with their local economies and support local businesses and employers. We look forward to seeing the State Senate bring this fight across the finish line and get this passed before the end of the legislative session.”


The New York Smart Growth Coalition is an alliance of businesses committed to improving the economic security and safety of New York and its residents by allowing eligible New Yorkers to apply for a state driver’s license, regardless of immigration status. It’s not just good state policy — it’s good business.