Ortt and law enforcement speak out about Green Light Law

Provided photo: State Senator Rob Ortt speaks at the DMV office in North Tonawanda today. He is joined by Assembly members Angelo Morinello & Paul Bologna, Niagara County Clerk Joe Jastrzemski, Niagara County Legislator Irene Myers, and Chief Deputy Aaron Schultz from the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office.

Press Release, State Sen. Rob Ortt’s Office

NORTH TONAWANDA – Today, joined by members of the Western New York legislative delegation, law enforcement officials, and county clerks, New York State Senator Rob Ortt blasted New York’s dangerous Green Light Law, which he said hinders law enforcement officers from effectively doing their job.

Senator Ortt and officials present vowed that restoring laws that give our law enforcement the tools and resources to rein in illegal migrants will be a top priority this legislative session for them.

Since becoming a sanctuary state and allowing unvetted illegal immigrants into New York, crime has risen and billions of tax dollars have gone toward housing and feeding individuals from across the world. Former Governor Andrew Cuomo signed legislation not only allowing these individuals to obtain driver’s licenses, but prohibited federal law enforcement from accessing their information through the DMV database.

“In a common-sense effort to keep New Yorkers safe, my conference will re-introduce legislation such as Laken’s Law and Green Light Law repealers that uncuffs law enforcement and allows local and federal partners to work together again,” Ortt said. “This past November, New Yorkers and people across the nation overwhelmingly voted in favor of making America safe again, and it’s time we as lawmakers get to work doing so – these bills are just the beginning of those efforts.”

“The NYS Green Light Law has severely restricted our ability to work with our federal partners to keep our borders secure,” said Niagara County Sheriff Michael Filicetti. “I fully support any legislation that reverses this law and enables us to keep our communities safe.  The fact that this law threatens local law enforcement with a felony level crime for sharing information should raise the eyebrows of our residents,”.

“As Sheriff, my priority is quality public safety,” said Erie County Sheriff John Garcia. “Collaboration among our law enforcement partners is a critical component of keeping Erie County’s residents safe. Unfortunately, the Green Light Law as it was enacted in 2019 severely impedes our ability to do that. We oppose any hindrance on sharing information with our federal law enforcement partners.”