FGGAM NEWS received the following news releases:
Governor Susana Martinez Signs Legislation Ending Dangerous Practice of Giving Driver’s Licenses to Illegal Immigrants
Bipartisan Compromise Makes NM REAL ID Compliant, Provides more Secure ID, and Reduces Incentives for Fraud, other Criminal Activity
Albuquerque, NM — Today, Governor Susana Martinez signed legislation ending the dangerous practice of giving driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants. This hard-fought, bipartisan compromise provides New Mexico with a secure ID and brings the state into compliance with the federal REAL ID Act. This ensures New Mexicans will not need passports to board a domestic flight or to access national laboratories, military bases, or other federal facilities in the state.
“For five long years, we’ve fought hard to do what the people of New Mexico have overwhelmingly demanded,” Governor Martinez said. “This bipartisan compromise ends the dangerous practice of giving driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants, which had turned New Mexico into a magnet for fraud from all over the world. It’s a long overdue, commonsense way to make New Mexico safer, and I’m proud to sign it into law today.”
House Bill 99 is sponsored by Representatives Paul Pacheco (R-Albuquerque) and Andy Nunez (R-Hatch). Senators John Arthur Smith (D-Deming), Stuart Ingle (R-Portales), and Steven Neville (R-Aztec) also had important roles in building this bipartisan compromise. The bill provides a permit to illegal immigrants, called a driver’s authorization card, that cannot be used for federal identification purposes. It requires fingerprints and background checks for illegal immigrants who wish to obtain a driver’s authorization card – which will not be granted until aliases and criminal bench warrants are resolved. Furthermore, those who want a driver’s authorization card will need to prove their identity and residency.
Together the provisions of this bill ensure that New Mexico will no longer be a magnet for fraud rings that peddle and sell driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants from all over the world. This will not only protect public safety in New Mexico, but also enhance our national security as well.
While the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) implements the provisions of House Bill 99, Governor Martinez has secured a federal waiver from REAL ID requirements from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, ensuring that New Mexicans will not need passports to board domestic flights or enter national laboratories, military bases, or other federal facilities in the state.
Legislation to Stop Giving Driver’s Licenses to Illegal Immigrants Becomes Law
Santa Fe, NM – Today, legislation that will stop the dangerous practice of giving driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants and make New Mexico Real ID compliant was signed by Gov. Susana Martinez. House Bill 99 was sponsored by Reps. Paul Pacheco and Andy Nunez.
“All of the hard work we have put into this has finally paid off,” Pacheco said. “For too many years illegal immigrants have been able to receive a driver’s license, making our licenses vulnerable to fraud and other illegal activity. I’m thankful to the Governor for signing this compromise bill. It is a victory for all New Mexicans.”
“I have worked on this issue for years. I’m proud of this compromise since it will stop giving driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants. It also has the proper security measures in place so that New Mexicans receive the protection they deserve,” Nunez said.