New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) will sign a bill allowing undocumented immigrants to apply for driver's licenses in the Empire State, a counsel to the governor announced Monday evening.

The measure was approved by the state assembly last week and passed the Democratic state Senate on Monday, according to WKBW.

ADVERTISEMENT

Cuomo has long supported the policy but has expressed concern that information collected through the application process could be used against immigrants. In a statement, Counsel to the Governor Alphonso David said Attorney General Letitia James (D) has reviewed the bill to ensure there are safeguards preventing the data from being used for such purposes.

“The Solicitor General, a former federal prosecutor and former Acting U.S. Solicitor General, who presumably knows whether or not the relevant information can be safeguarded, has remained unresponsive on this critical issue,” David wrote.

“With that said, based on the Attorney General's representation, the Governor will sign the bill,” he added. “The key to this bill is not the political intent but the legal effect. We hope the Attorney General's assessment is correct for the safety of the thousands of undocumented individuals who are relying on her legal opinion.”

The law would make New York the 13th state to allow licenses for undocumented immigrants, according to WKBW.