DHS cuts New Yorkers off from ‘trusted traveler’ programs

BEN FOX Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — New York residents will be cut off from "trusted traveler" programs that speed their re-entry into the country, a senior Homeland Security official said Thursday, blaming a new state law that prohibits immigration agents from accessing motor vehicle records. Tens of thousands of New Yorkers will face the inconvenience of slower re-entry because of a law that acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Ken Cuccinelli says puts public safety at risk by preventing federal agents from quickly accessing vehicle and criminal records. "I know other states are looking at laws like this," Cuccinelli said. "We would urge them to reconsider." The decision to freeze New Yorkers' access to Global Entry and three other programs, which the New York