Michael Kearns

ALBANY (AP) — A Western New York county clerk says he will file a federal lawsuit challenging a new state law authorizing driver’s licenses for immigrants who are in the country illegally.

Erie County Clerk Michael Kearns says he will file the lawsuit today and seek an injunction to block the law while it’s reviewed by the court.

Kearns says the law forces county clerks to violate federal law by granting licenses to immigrants.

The law passed the Legislature and was signed into law last month.

Supporters of the measure say they expected a lawsuit and carefully crafted the law to withstand a legal challenge.

Twelve states already have similar laws.