Green Light bill

People were lined up outside the Riverhead DMV office as early as 5 a.m. today, the first business day after the Green Light NY law took effect Saturday.

William De León is a documented Guatemalan immigrant and has a valid NY driver's license. But that was not always the case. He shared his story Monday evening at a vigil held in Riverhead, where people gathered to pray as they awaited the State Senate floor vote on the 'Green Light NY' bill.

The “Green Light NY” bill, which allows the commissioner of motor vehicles to issue driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants, was passed by the State Senate and quickly signed into law by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Allowing all residents to lawfully obtain a driver’s license will make our roads safer, reduce the number of unlicensed and uninsured drivers, reduce insurance premiums, add millions to the state treasury and cut enforcement and court costs.

Residents and community advocates marched down Main Street Tuesday afternoon in support of state legislation that would make standard ­­driver’s licenses available for all New Yorkers, regardless of immigration status.

Civil rights advocates are organizing a march through Riverhead Tuesday to call on lawmakers to pass the 'Green Light' bill, a measure that would allow undocumented immigrants access to driver's licenses in New York.