Deputy County Clerks Gary Artessa Brenda Breen Patricia Ferrone Lynarda J. Girmonde
Sandra J. DePerno County Clerk Diane B. Abraham 1st Deputy Clerk
CLERK OF ONEIDA COUNTY County Office Building 800 Park Avenue Utica, New York 13501 Phone: (315) 798-5776 Fax: (315) 798-6440
June 25, 2019
President Donald J. Trump The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW Washington DC 20500 Dear President Trump: I am a New York State Constitutional Officer and serve as Oneida County Clerk and Clerk of the Supreme and County Courts. I am also commissioned to serve as an agent of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles and run two DMV offices located in Utica NY and Rome NY. As Oneida County Clerk I have sworn an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New York. The NYS Assembly and Senate recently passed a Driver’s Access and Privacy Act which has been signed by Governor Cuomo (“Green Light Bill”). This act will allow those who are unable to prove their legal immigration status to be issued a NYS Drivers License. The license will be nearly identical to license issued to those that can prove citizenship, simply stamped “not for federal purposes” on it. This law takes effect on December 14, 2019 and I believe circumvents federal immigration law. Further, this bill restricts the Department of Motor Vehicles from disclosing information to federal law enforcement agencies. In addition, no restrictions have been implemented to prevent these applicants from registering to vote at the same time they apply for a drivers license. Therefore, Mr. President, I respectfully request that you direct the United States Attorney General and the Justice Department to begin an investigation to determine whether this legislation is in conflict with Federal Immigration Laws or any other law in regard to those residing in the United States illegally. Respectfully submitted,
Sandra J. DePerno Oneida County Clerk