S. 7879 / A. 10129 Summary

• Establishes "New York State Citizenship" for individuals regardless of federal immigration status who meet eligibility criteria including 3 years residency, 3 years of state income tax payment, proof of identity, and pledge to follow state laws.

• Creates Office for New Americans to administer New York State Citizenship and issue identification cards valid as government ID and usable in place of Social Security numbers for state purposes.

• Grants New York State Citizens eligibility for professional licenses, voting, public health benefits, drivers licenses, and higher education financial aid previously restricted to U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

• Prohibits state law enforcement from honoring federal civil immigration detainers or providing detention beyond normal release times, and restricts federal immigration authority access to state facilities without criminal warrants.

• Expands higher education financial aid eligibility to include students without lawful immigration status who attended New York high schools for 2+ years, contingent on filing immigration legalization applications.