The Department of Homeland Security began blocking New York residents from applying for their trusted traveller program, Global Entry, over the state’s “Sanctuary policies” but there’s more to the story and DHS was right to do it.
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The Feud
The people’s state of New York and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have beef and I am confident that some of this has been an ever-increasing escalation of the personalities involved rather than the issues at hand. New York had the right to change the laws of their state and the DHS had the right to employ their standards and enforce them. The Wall Street Journal has an excellent write-up of the issue, to quote the authors Hackman and Vielkind:
“The primary New York state policy at issue, which took effect in December, blocks officials with Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement from accessing driver’s license records unless they have a court order. The same law, known as the “green light” law, allows unauthorized immigrants to apply for driver’s licenses.”
The two have taken a nuclear option within both their control. New York state (and city respectively) have done all they can to fight a proxy battle for undocumented immigrants. The DHS, in turn, has also pushed the big red button blocking 80,000 new applicants (fees refunded) and not allowing expiring Global Entry holders to renew (anticipated 150,000 affected this year.)
The DHS Was Right to Do This But Its Approach Could Have Been Better
This may not be popular, but regardless of political persuasion, the DHS has a duty to perform. That duty is to verify the background on entrants to the program. If Sanctuary state policies like that of New York block the DHS from doing that, they can’t simply ignore those that they can’t fully verify.
That said, DHS could have handled this differently. For example, the state of California has also designated their state as a Sanctuary state but did not face the same new applicant registration ban. The DHS also had this less-than-professional response on the New York issue:
DHS immediately objected to the policy. “It makes every person more vulnerable when you shield pedophiles, child pornographers, human traffickers, and terrorists from law enforcement,” spokeswoman Heather Swift wrote on Twitter in December.
That’s not exactly fair. While it is true that those without a verifiable background may fall into those categories, it’s not as though those are the only people applying for Global Entry in the state of New York. The percentage is rather small and entirely unverifiable. But that’s kind of the DHS’s point.
What Can Be Done for New Yorkers?
New York residents have a tough decision to make. The first move is to sue the Department of Homeland Security to block their ban, an action which is underway. Some New Yorkers who have alternative addresses may want to consider getting identification from those states and registering elsewhere.
The other option would be to alter the manner in which they execute Sanctuary state rights. If state-issued identification fails to meet federal standards (such as REAL ID requirements) then a state like New York or even just Manhattan could comply with the ID standards but otherwise maintain their Sanctuary state approach.
Some New Yorkers may also simply accept that they cannot have both in the current political environment, so they believe that providing a Sanctuary state is more important than convenience upon arrival.
Conclusion
Many people forget that New York state is rather large and nearly entirely rural outside of New York City. I feel for those outside the city who are caught in the middle of this but I understand both sides hard stance. New York wants to create a welcoming environment for immigrants regardless of documentation status. The Department of Homeland Security is responsible for running background checks using qualified information and can’t do their job without it. In the end, the DHS needs to apply this evenly anywhere they were incapable of executing their duties to maintain the integrity of the program.
What do you think? Was the DHS right to block New York residents from applying for new Global Entry applications? Should DHS allow New York state residents to register? Do you think the DHS response was retaliatory or measured?
Thank you for saying what many people in America feel. As a New Yorker I applaud the decision even if my parents can’t get global entry for a while as they have yet to apply but were planning to this year. Stopping the New York government from aiding and abetting illegal immigration is a huge priority. If the New York government doesn’t want to give the DHS access to its data base which can be used to deport criminal aliens then it shouldn’t give licenses to illegal aliens. If I go to Japan or India, is any state government going to give me a drivers license knowing I’m in the country illegally and violating the sovereignty of its people. No, that’s absurd.
At issue is the banning of the Feds from searching the NYS DMV database, not the issuance of driver’s licences to illegal aliens. The database reveals potentially negative information relating to breaking NYS law that the Feds could use in administering to an individual. AFAIK, the Feds would have reacted to the Green Light law in the same manner as it has with the laws of other States regarding the issuance of driver’s licenses to illegal aliens…as long as the Fed has access to the DMV data bases. A search revealed that New York State is the first State to refuse the Feds access to its DMV database.
https://www.nilc.org/issues/immigration-enforcement/how-calif-dl-records-shared-with-dhs/
Now, the question I have is whether or not my Enhanced NYS driver’s licence will be acceptable documentation if I try to return from Canada or Mexico. Or, do I have to get a US Passport to insure my reentry into the USA.
It seems to me that rescinding that portion of the Green Light law which prohibits the Feds access to the DMV database would be the best way forward in order to protect the citizens of New York State.
Illegal immigrants will not have RealID licences so a simple change to the law allowing CBP to access the state database for those who have RealID should take care of both concerns.
Although not every citizen or legal resident has a RealID driver license.
I don’t understand any of the reasoning here – if I’m a known pedophile, human trafficker, or other felon, isn’t DHS able to determine this based on my fingerprints and SS#?
I am appalled at the acceptance of Real ID, ICE and DHS. A great uncle of mine had a large store in Essen in pre war times. After the first bricks got hurled in May of 1933, he did not need anymore warning and voted with his feet.
My observations of the past 10 to 20 years with the gathering storm gives the same feelings. An article such as this alarms me as it hits the mainstream middle class. A fear based society is a worthless society.
This comment is spot on. The time is very, very short for America as it has been known. Eyes wide open.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egypt%E2%80%93Israel_barrier
No, not if they’re illegl aliens – and you understand the difference between legal and illegal, you never will understand. Illegals don’t HAVE SSNs and fingerprints on file.
If I already have a passport issued by Department of State, why the heck does DHS need to verify anything at all with the DMV in my state of residence? Are illegal aliens in this country issued US passports? This policy makes no sense and is meant to punish a state that spray tan man figures won’t give him any electoral votes in Nov.
Criminal Records
Your DMV doesn’t keep your criminal records. The state law enforcement division (NV DPS here) does. And no they will not issue a report without a signed waiver or a FD-258 (print card). For someone who calls himself The Law, you certainly don’t know much about it. They’d have a better chance of getting your criminal record from a TransUnion report than a DMV record.
BINGO. This post parrots right-wing talking points, and gets many very basic facts wrong. Nonsense straight from “Fox News.” Shame on you.
Lol, in the last couple of weeks I have been accused of being too liberal, now I am parroting Fox News – is it possible that my politics don’t have anything to do with whether or not I think an action is the right or wrong response? Could it be that based on the facts presented I felt that DHS had the stronger argument and that the state of New York forced a response?
The problem is: you’ve spent zero time to investigate the facts. Whatever you call “facts presented” is just political spin. Read the New York law, read the facts as they are being adjudicated in a Federal court, not in newspapers. DHS has no issues granting green cards or citizenship to immigrants from New York. So, they are able to do the required background checks if they want to.
So you assert that people here Illegally and merely have a drivers license are attempting to apply for global entry? How would they even receive a passport? Most people who are here Illegally live behind the scenes. I’d venture to say, they are not posting up for global entry interviews.
I don’t disagree with this and I also cite that the threat is likely overblown but it’s logical as to why the ban is in place.
I am appalled at the acceptance of Real ID, ICE and DHS. A great uncle of mine had a large store in Essen in pre war times. After the first bricks got hurled in May of 1933, he did not need anymore warning and voted with his feet.
My observations of the past 10 to 20 years with the gathering storm gives the same feelings. An article such as this alarms me as it hits the mainstream middle class. A fear based society is a worthless society.
The author might look back to the 1930s to see just how ugly and repulsive the equivalency of DHS and ICE, two organizations that never should have been created can get.
America is still the most welcoming country compared to other countries. Other nations, such as China and India (the list is long), deserve your criticism for their anti-immigration policies. Would you call them worthless societies too?
I am shocked that people don’t see how close to going over the cliff we are here in America.
Aaaaaaaand there it is……the nazi reference
It’s logical if you ignore the part about political retribution similar to what the republicans have been trying to do to California and other blue states. Motives matter.
Why is it logical? DHS can perform background checks both before and after the New York law for all applicants who apply for green cards, US passports, security clearance, Global Entry, etc.
New York state could easily solve their problem but still issue driver’s licenses to illegal aliens. A dozen states, including California, do that but don’t have this “court order or we won’t cooperate with CBP”. New York is at fault. Governor Cuomo DO something and not just sue.
I don’t understand the obsession of protecting people who aren’t in this country legally. In Virginia we are overrun with illegals. Our do-nothing Congress is to blame. I applaud DHS.
This isn’t true. To get global entry you need federal ID such as a passport which will require a Real ID and other federal ID requirements. What the state does with its drivers licenses has nothing to do with a global entry background check
Noah, you’re mistaken. DHS looks at the driver’s license record for all applicants, regardless of what ID you present with your application. In addition to verifying your data, they look at possible licensed suspensions and convictions that may not appear on other records
@Noah, and you know this how? Provide facts.
You’re 100% right and the info can be collected by the DHS through the FBI!
All this is is a DJT hissy fit! Retribution to NY!
Even in NY now to fly you’ll need an “enhanced” license. Whatever the state is giving to Illegal people is different from what US citizen will be carrying.
Taking away our Global we try iS NOT fair It’s a house if a totally different color.
To the writer of this article you should not pass judgement on one article you read.
DHS states: “You may not be eligible for participation in the Global Entry program if you: Provide false or incomplete information on the application; Have been convicted of any criminal offense or have pending criminal charges or outstanding warrants (to include driving under the influence)”. Having access to state driver records and other state criminal records is critical. The access to Global Entry isn’t to make it easy for “anyone” to avoid a more in-depth security screening. That is why is a “Trusted Traveler” status.
Your stated reason for supporting this makes no sense. You say DHS has a “duty is to verify the background on entrants to the program” but undocumented immigrants can’t get Global Entry through the same process as US citizens and wouldn’t have the valid passport and visa documents to get it through their country of citizenship. Also TSA-precheck, the program that might actually interest this community, isn’t included in the ban. If you have another reason for supporting this, say it, but this is fiction.
Also this line… “I feel for those outside the city who are caught in the middle of this.” Doesn’t take into account that this is a NY State law not just a “sanctuary city” protection. They aren’t caught in the middle of anything, they’re represented.
Andre, respectfully, the city steers state policy entirely. The rural inhabitants outside of the city do not likely side the same way as their peers. On other matters, some counties actually attempted to secede to Northern Pennsylvania to better align with their political interests. The Buffalo resident who is due for renewal probably doesn’t feel the same conviction or vote the same way as the Manhattanite but gets pulled into the same fight as someone at the pointy end of the state. Those are the folks caught in the middle.
Kyle, you could probably stand to read up on New York State politics and demographics… You seem to be under the impression that the entirety of the City has one set of beliefs and the remainder of the state is rural and believes in the opposite. In fact, there are numerous areas throughout the state classified as urban, and the non-city members of the State Assembly are fairly evenly divided between the two parties. You mention Buffalo, which is thoroughly urban and votes Democratic. The simplistic way you’ve described this element now makes me question your knowledge base on just about any other topic you write about
@Kapong – There are 62 counties in New York state, 17 of them went blue in 2016, of those 7 were in the direct vicinity of New York City. That’s 45 of 55 counties outside the NYC metro (not counting Yonkers, New Rochelle, White Plains, etc.) that all went red. Here is a recap of that election result: http://bitly.com/2HfgsIB. They may be elected evenly as you stated, but
But let’s revisit Buffalo for a moment. Urban? When was the last time you were there? I’ve been there about once a year for every year for the last half-decade for one reason or another and it seems to have more in common with forgotten factory towns than urban environments like Chicago, New York or LA. They may still vote blue (Erie county was barely blue in the last election) but I can’t imagine that Buffalo residents who need only drive 30 minutes over the border to see a Ford factory that moved to Canada taking US jobs with it following NAFTA are in the same level of agreement regarding Sanctuary state immigration policies as their peers in New York City. I’d have to imagine if those communities were only allowed to vote on Sanctuary city/state status, you wouldn’t find the same “urban” support you claim.
People vote, not acres.
You seem to have a beef with the basis tenets of representative democracy.
Nobody is “caught in the middle” because they didn’t get what they want. Democracy doesn’t mean that everyone gets their way. It means that we have elections, and representatives make choices. If you don’t like what they do, your remedy is through the electoral process. The fact that power is not distributed homogeneously between people living in urban and rural areas is a feature, not a bug.
You don’t seem to understand this (or you don’t seem to accept it when your “side” doesn’t win). Hmmm.
I guess I am just picturing the person that doesn’t really have a firm stance in support of Sanctuary policies or about CBP enforcement but was unwittingly thrown into the controversy and now can’t renew their Global Entry. Is that such a strange position? I think it’s rather normal.
OK now I get it… Urban means whatever you want it to mean to fit your premise. Also interesting that you’re conflating opinions on Sanctuary status with opinions on jobs moving overseas. Be aware that they don’t fully correlate…
Also, nice cherry-picking of your stats. The vast majority of those counties have tiny but more importantly, don’t represent the entirety of the Upstate NY population. But my point was that there are numerous areas Upstate that meet the US Census definition of urban areas. Or in the simplistic way that you are attempting to shoehorn your argument in, it’s not all cows/Trump supporters outside of NYC. Just as there was in fact an entire borough in NYC that preferred Trump
I’d encourage you to familiarize yourself a bit more with the politics and demographics of Buffalo before making such assumptions but moving on from that… I haven’t seen you really address in any meaningful way the false premise of your stated reason for agreeing with the decision. The undocumented population is not applying for global entry and green light laws do not hinder their ability to conduct background checks.
I agree that the undocumented community is not likely applying for Global Entry, but as the post (and the linked post) stated, New York state is blocking all DMV records without a warrant. That’s not just the folks they are trying to protect but all applicants which make it impossible for the DHS to check and validate all records, not just the undocumented.
Hello Kyle.
To take this to a higher scope, so to say, if global entry depends upon passports for the most part to verify identity at the federal level, it’s a good time to discuss a national ID overall for such matters of credit cards/social security, etc.
I actually have a social security “card” that used to mean something 40 years ago. It’s incredibly easy to forge and as an identifying metric, worse than useless particularly for it’s significance and importance.
Let’s issue every citizen a free, secure federal ID and also make available readers that can be connected to laptops to allow secure internet transactions and credit card applications. The photo and biometric (optional) components could be updated at any US Post Office, federal building, etc. at a kiosk.
You point out California still gets Global Entry. New York had applications processed even after the law went into effect. Indeed there’s no requirement to have a drivers license to get Global Entry. And DHS continues to process citizenship and permanent resident applications of New Yorkers.
The point is that access to NY DMV records is in no way necessary to process Global Entry, and clearly isn’t necessary for PreCheck since that of course continues.
This was a political move, playing to the President’s base by announcing it on the Tucker Carlson program, not a necessary policy shift.
Gary, your should understand DHS looks at the driver’s license record for all applicants, regardless of what ID you present with your application. In addition to verifying your data, they look at possible licensed suspensions and convictions that may not appear on other records.
> DHS looks at the driver’s license record for all applicants…
No, they don’t. Having a drivers license is NOT a requirement. People without a drivers license can apply and can pass the background check.
So what drivers license record do they look at in those cases?
None, I presume, but what about those that have something on their record that doesn’t show up elsewhere (as some have reported)?
So, we’ll give that person security clearance, green card, and us citizenship but not global entry? How does that “logical”?
Chris- my brother lives in NYC, does not have a drivers license, and still got Global Entry before all this started. They do not need a DMV record to grant Global Entry. This is common for MANY new yorkers -many simply do not drive/ do not have a car, and use passports as their main form of ID.
Hello Jason,
I thought about this as well for my daughter whose 3. We can now use her passport as an identity paper (more portable than a birth certificate).
But that said, I wonder if New Yorkers maybe also get a passport card which is more portable than the passport? My old passport was really ragged by the time I was done with it carrying it in my pocket. Is a non-driver’s license ID in NY about the same cost?
They don’t need extra stuff given to them when they are still illegals.
What is happening with USA?
DMV records are where DUI and aggravated/violent traffic offense data is stored. So yes it is necessary to properly vet people. What is not necessary, however, is the left’s constant conflating of illegal immigration with all immigration. People in favor of enforcing the laws on the books are not xenophobic white supremacists. If you don’t like the laws on the books then win elections and change the law. Ignoring the laws you don’t like, and shielding such criminals, is what banana republics do. Sanctuary city policies may placate the socialist crowd in SF, LA, NYC and Austin, but it also loses elections.
Sorry, but you just mentioned 2 felonies. Felonies and misdemeanors show up on your criminal record. The DMV is redundant at best. You have to submit your prints. It would be best practices to run the prints. You can fake a Dl. You can’t fake a FD-258.
@Gary Leff, you indicated this same position on your own blog. However, you fail to point to specific facts as to why DHS does not need DMV information. You failed to provide the letter DHS send to NY DMV which clearly points out why they need access to the database. All you keep saying is they don’t need it over and over again. Provide facts, not bluster.
New York was itching to pick a fight and they found a willing participant by taking away access that DHS previously had.
TrvlGuru- I didn’t “fail[..] to provide the letter DHS send to NY DMV” I linked to the letter. I give specific facts in my comment above why they can clearly vet people without DMV data. People *without licenses or dmv records* get global entry. People in NY were getting it for a month without information sharing. People in California are getting it. DHS continues to process CITIZENSHIP applications for New York residents without DMV data for goodness sakes!
First, people who don’t have DLs don’t have DUI/aggravated traffic offenses in their record. If driving without a license and other offenses the it will be in another database, not DMV.
Second, California doesn’t restrict DHS access to DMV records. That’s why we still have GE here. This is what it’s about, it has nothing to do with NYs ridiculous policy of allowing illegal immigrants to have DLs.
You’re spreading misinformation or are being willfully ignorant. The DHS head clearly stated all of this. Pay attention to facts before you write more uninformed blog posts.
It’s because Gary has Stage 4 TDS. It’s kind of satisfying to see the same people who defend these radical policies get hurt by them. Enjoy the wait at Kennedy, I’ll be in the lounge.
It’s definitely a response from the DHS, maybe the administration, but it follows what New York began by changing their identification qualifications with the intention to obstruct the department, right? Is that not politically motivated? Wouldn’t logic suggest that in the same way that New York believes emphatically that they are protecting humans so do the DHS.
Where I think we agree is that it should be applied evenly and not selectively, which would end the suggestion of political motivation against the state of New York. However, imagine if this were applied to all the municipalities and states that have become Sanctuary, how many more people would be adversely affected?
I don’t follow any of your logic.
Is having a drivers license an undocumented requirement for Global Entry? If it’s not then why does DHS need carte blanche access to the NY DL database?
I don’t determine what databases they access, I am just reporting it as the two parties have portrayed it and my analysis of the situation based on that.
The DHS says they use the database to access certain records, the state of New York has stated they are blocking it specifically so that the DHS has to have a court order to obtain the information. So logic would suggest that if New York wants to obscure the information, and the DHS states they need it to function, then logically it’s both used and holds exclusive data.
My brother and several others I know who live in NYC ]do not have drivers licences but were able to get global entry. Something is fishy here.
Yeah, I don’t follow any of the logic either.
This ban is based on NY state residency, not possession of a NY state DL or ID.
Kyle says “That duty is to verify the background on entrants to the program. If Sanctuary state policies like that of New York block the DHS from doing that, they can’t simply ignore those that they can’t fully verify.”
But Kyle is accepting this statement as true, not not politically motivated. Can Kyle prove this? He didn’t in the article above.
Curious as to whether Donald Jr, Eric, Ivanka, and Jared are getting their Global Entry renewed. They are all NY residents.
I’d venture to guess that the President’s children don’t have to pass through normal protocols now or ever again.
And while you’re correct that it’s based on NY state residency and not the DL state, I guess one could have inferred (but didn’t) that justifying residency usually comes down to the state on your DL even if that’s not the case.
I didn’t state it wasn’t politically motivated (on either side) – the first subheader is “The Feud” and in fairness, both actions are politically motivated. As I said, they both took the nuclear option within their wheelhouse.
DHS does not need this database to verify global entry applicants- in fact, they don’t even use it-
Are you a New Yorker? Overall a nice piece but try not to speak of things you do not know.
Sb
I don’t think I need to be a New Yorker to reach an opinion on this, but as I clearly state, I am not.
Then I presume if you followed your own advice you should never speak again
That’s nonsense. They do use DMV records.b DHS stated so.
The fact this is a blanket ban, with no age restriction, proves how politically motivated it is. I tried to apply my 5 month-old for Global Entry and got denied based on state residency. There is zero reason for that to occur, especially since both of her parents are US citizens and Global Entry members themselves.
While I agree with your sentiment if the policy applies to one it has to apply to all, right? Our daughter had to go through a Global Entry interview at eight weeks old. She wasn’t even awake.
So, did your 8-week old child have a drivers license?
Nope. So if my daughter was a New Yorker, she would be unnecessarily thrown in with all of the rest of the residents of New York because the state has blocked records. You can’t accept some without being able to check the background without checking all, even if it comes back negative.
I am fine with common sense laws (my daughter should never have been interviewed anyway, it was ridiculous) but how does the DHS decide which age and who should be affected? Is that not another form of discrimination?
This is just sad.
Have the liberals made a list of things they will do to screw trump’s and his minions as well the senators from redd states after they come to power?
Or are they still dancing kumbaya? Look Putin has already won. Eff the USA. Your job is to screw as many Republicans as you can when you come to power, not to heal and bring the nation together.
There’s no easy solution to this problem. The diplomatic (grown-up) course of action should have been a notification of intent by DHS, followed by a deadline. This abrupt, no-notice, practice is nothing shy of dramatic political theatrics.
NYkers depend on public transport, instead driving personal vehicles. In fact, very few adults who grew up as teenagers in the 5 boroughts of NYC have a driver’s license until late into their careers. So, the DMV potentially will have blank records on city residents who only have city issued identificaiton cards.
@KK Most of these people you refer to likely don’t travel outside the US and hence no need for Global Entry. It’s a moot point.
@TrvlGuru…. I’m a NYker and I’ve logged over 750K miles flying before I got my driver’s license. So, I’m speaking from experience that most inner city folks do not drive, but living in NYC means we’re educated enough to have the drive (excuse the expression) to see the world.
New Yorker to DHS I don’t have a driver’s Licence. Ok then here is your Global Entry. I am guessing that they would want to verify that fact. New York could simply allow DHS access to DMV record only to applicants of Global Entry, that would protect the illegal immigrants and allow DHS to verify the applicant. If that would not satisfy DHS then you could say it is political.
@Stephen
You’re the first one to give a possible solution, for which I’m thankful. So much acrimony!
Kyle,
If this was meant to generate clicks and an ensuing anger of comments you have succeeded. In the process you have lost my respect.
Thanks for showing your true colors and, no, I for one will not tolerate anyone who defends a monster who runs the office of the world’s once most respected nation like a Mafia shakedown.
You are part of the problem. Stop justifying the actions of a fascist and masking it in a “nice guy persona.” Either own up to being a supporter of a tyrant so we all know your colors or get with the program in seeing that this is exactly how Nazi Germany came to be. “PAPERS PLEASE!”
The US was the world’s most respected country?
The same country that had internment camps. Invades foreign countries on false pretenses. Does not acknowledge genocides because it would not be favourable to them.
Since when are there no other countries? Presuming you are a liberal would not the Scandinavian countries be more respected?
Any country out there has a history, some recently, of human rights violations. Even your beloved Scandanavia is not without blemish. Denmark as an example has come under criticism for seizing personal assets of immigrants. Sweden is home to one of the largest concentrations of white nationalists in Europe. Norway may be close to perfect – but with so few people and an incredibly wealthy population it has the luxury and ability to be righteous.
Of course, if you are from the U.K. and wishing to criticize American history we can list your thousands of atrocities. Including the most recent of the thousands of refuges that were living in “camps” on the French coast and refused sanctuary.
Spare me your righteousness. The U.S. has been (up until now) a balance, despite mistakes, of defending human rights worldwide for years. With both military power (the world is a better place thanks to our military technology and strength that encourages balance worldwide) and our beloved economic system of consumerism that has in turn helped lift other nations from poverty with manufacturing and expansion. Further, look at the list of nations providing economic aid to other nations and where is the U.S.? Yes, right on top – or close to it depending on how you wish to calculate it.
You can U.S. bash all you want, and no one is more disgusted at our country right now than I am. This, for the reasons I mention, in that I have, until now, amidst our faults and stupidities over the years, been proud of what we bring to the world’s table. Perhaps you should imagine a world without the U.S. and its successes. What would it be now?
Your country, the UK did not acknowledge the genocide in Rwanda, which was perpetrated in 1994, whereby 900,000 civilians were slaughtered within a three month period!
Lol, last week I was too liberal, this week I am defending a nazi… sorry to see you go but before you head out, can you clarify which monster I defended? Please use exact quotes because I am not in the habit of defending “tyrants” either.
By Justifying the actions of Trump and his Gestapo in an attempt to show that ending Global Entry applicants in New York has any merit is giving them the engine they need to run amok over blue states that dare to defy him. Especially states that have AOC and Cuomo, whom he despises for standing up to him publicly. This is so obviously a shakedown to intimidate a blue state, one that he wants to silence and send an example to. How you can even present any sort of justification is disgusting and naive. Unless you are a card carrying MAGA supporter.
Jesus Christ, dude, chill out. You don’t have to be 100% pro or against, and the “us vs. them” mentality you espouse is what got us here in the first place.
Now that “the deed is done,” it’s time to consider whether it fulfills its stated purpose. Fact of the matter is, if you recently had e.g. a DUI, you ain’t getting Global Entry; and that DUI may not show up anywhere but your driving record. So this fulfills its stated purpose. It’s heavy-handed, sure, but so was the NY law (“court order only”). After going back and forth once, the ball is in NYS’s court (no pun intended) now – will they be reasonable and temper the requirements to allow more exceptions? Will they completely pull back and screw over undocumented immigrants? Or will they be obstructionist and drag it out the court system, screwing over tens of thousands of TTs and TTP applicants in the process?
The connections you’re making to Nazis don’t help your case.
Your assessment of Kyle as a die-hard Trump supporter is laughable.
You’re just as bad as them. I’m ashamed to have you “on my side.”
Oh look. A Trump supporter in disguise. I got you, George. Read the other comments and spare me having to highlight them for you as to why this is purely political.
I am glad to not be on your side.
@Stuart
I thought you said you would no longer read this blog many comments ago.
Hey Stuart I’ve got a news flash. Defending a single policy does not in any way mean that one is a supporter of the President.
Here is another news flash. Actions have consequences. You want to assist people is violating federal immigration law? Fine guess what. There may be adverse consequences from that federal agency.
Personally I’m more than a little troubled by the fact that we find ourselves in a place where in multiple ways states are ignoring federal law and in some ways the federal government is supporting that. The law should be the law. Otherwise why have it?
It benefits no one to have laws that can be selectively ignored or enforced as whims dictate.
“What Can Be Done for New Yorker?” Easy. Next election they can vote with their brains instead of with their asses. What a disgrace of state. They have the worst politicians all together.
Do I hear white bread?
White bread? Anyone?
Im sure the guy working for $8 an hour on 12 hour shifts with no benefits in crappy conditions is a rapist.
And the lady cleaning houses is a serial killer.
And that other person cleaning toilets is probably a Drug Lord.
But what’s the point talking to a person who whines about not getting a rose on a LH flight.
Give me a damn break!
This article makes clear republicans have been asshoes throughout history. And they are not civil. They only understand violence.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/09/opinion/rand-paul-whistleblower.html
Only two types of Republicans. Stupid and evil.
The ban makes absolutely no sense, and the former director of ICE has already said that they don’t need state DMV records to do global entry checks. Do you think when the CIA/FBI do background checks on people, something like a DMV ban stops them? Please. This decision was pure politics.
If New York was a republican state, the Trump administration government would never have done this. Why do you think they let New Yorkers continue to get TSA Precheck? Because they don’t want to cause problems for themselves. Eliminating global entry for new yorkers doesn’t cause much problems for them, but if they got rid of TSA precheck, then the nation’s busiest airports becomes a real shit show and they get the heat for it, pissing off everyone (including republican voters). Your rationalization of this ban is laughable and is no way based on any shred of reality.
Gary, your should understand DHS looks at the driver’s license record for all applicants, regardless of what ID you present with your application. In addition to verifying your data, they look at possible licensed suspensions and convictions that may not appear on other records.Thanks.
Wow, Kyle. Yeah, as a Brooklyn resident, I feel terrible for all those poor rural NYers living under the urban thumb. But gee, I seem to remember that a plurality of our entire COUNTRY voted for the Democratic candidate for president and yet somehow us urban dwellers are living under a narcissist who seeks to punish us in any way possible (he screwed us with taxes, now just taunting us with petty indignities like this).
The argument about Global Entry is ridiculous, of course this could have been handled differently, but the DHS under Trump rule chose the most extreme middle finger they could find. But really the most insulting part of your piece is the rural vs urban play for sympathy. So the fact that liberals pack ourselves into small, dense urban areas makes us less important than the folks who spread themselves over wide geographic space? At least in this state, majority rules, regardless of where voters in the state happen to live.
The Federal government is overrepresented by rural bias (electoral college, every small state getting the same Senate representation as states several times their population)… so you want to introduce that into the states as well? Or somehow make us feel bad that their (smaller) voice isn’t given more weight? Please.
Articles like this are the reason I try to only read Matthew’s posts and go out of my way to not read Kyle’s. I was about to write an angry comment when I finished the article but once I realized it was by Kyle it all clicked. I think you should be more selective in what you allows on this blog Matthew. Your readers won’t miss posts such as this and instead will be rewarded by your thoughtful posts such as the one on the holy-land. Get rid of him, surely the quantity of his posts can’t redeem for their awful quality.
P.S
If I wanted to read drivel about how rural folks are politically marginalized despite the fact that rural communities have a disproportionate influence on presidential and congressional elections, I’d read Breitbart.
Would it have been that hard for whoever wrote the bill to also add an exception for trusted traveler programs, and any other acceptable (in their eyes) reason the DHS might have to conduct a DMV check? In other words, make it “a court order OR FOR THE PURPOSE OF PERFORMING BACKGROUND CHECKS RELATED TO AN INDIVIDUAL’S APPLICATION FOR ENROLLMENT IN A TRUSTED TRAVELER PROGRAM (and so on).” With all the resources (staffers, etc.) at their disposal, these politicians still don’t have the least bit of foresight, enacting broad measures and not seeing the potential for collateral damage. “Experts in law,” my ass.
If I remember correctly, a passport must be issued before GE. So that is enough to prove that the applicant is a US citizen. Why the insistence on a DL? For many years when I lived in Manhattan I had no DL (taxis, buses, subways, walking everywhere). What are visually impaired citizens supposed to do (in any state – they certainly don’t have a DL).
Citizens with a criminal record are still entitled to fly out of and back into the country.
Without getting into the sanctuary politics (either side) this seems to me like a problem that is more manufactured than real.
The DMV doesn’t have any records that are needed for Global Entry. The moment you get arrested (DUI, traffic violation that warrants an arrest, etc.) and booked, you will be fingerprinted which immediately will check the FBI and state police records and in itself will create a record with both entities, including the reason for the arrest. DHS is not barred from these records because they don’t reside within DMV.
To get GE you need to be an US Citizen or LPR. Naturalized citizens and LPRs by default have FBI files. Their lives were scrutinized when they adjusted status to LPR and again when they became US citizens. Natural born citizens will have FBI and state police files if they ever got in trouble that ended in an arrest. The same with illegals, when booked, they get fingerprinted and a record is created even if the name they gave was fake. When you start the GE process, you will be fingerprinted, and all your deeds will be available to the CPB officer that’s interviewing you. Hell, while I was a LPR, my entire record was available to the admitting immigration officer at any point of entry, because LPRs get fingerprinted and photographed every time they enter the country.
DHS is not looking for red light camera violations, parking tickets or speeding violations.
Slow day here today and the author is just gaslighting.
Aren’t there like 12-14 other states whose liberal policies allow for illegal immigrants to get driver’s licenses (no questions asked – er, rather I should say they are not asked the same questions or have to show the same ID as American citizens) should be looked at ??
C’mon DHS, make this happen where laws are being broken.
As a society, we are “fiddling while Rome burns.” Surely there are more important things for our governments to be doing that playing “tit for tat’ with peoples lives. This is emblematic of our approach to “failed state”.
I guess Stewart needed to increase his readership, so he wrote this drivel that would appeal to other ill-informed individuals. Stewart should stick to his Holiday Inn reviews. Though unhelpful, they don’t spread materially inaccurate information on matters of importance.