The Fight over Driver's Licenses Continues

08.17.11 (LAS CRUCES) -- Dozens of people are speaking against what they call Governor Susana Martinez's anti-immigration agenda.

Republican Governor Susana Martinez is calling a special session so legislators can once again debate whether illegal immigrants who live in New Mexico can have state-issued licenses. The governor says repealing the current law will make the state safer, but opponents aren't buying it.

"I think it's wrong to repeal the current driver's licenses law because it's going to take driver's licenses away from people. It's going to take away the ability police have to identify them or to locate them. It's going to make it for higher insurance rates for everyone ," said Christina Parker of the Border Network for Human Rights.

New Mexico is just one of three states that allow people regardless of their immigration status to obtain a driver's licenses. Utah and Washington are the other states.

"The vast majority of undocumented immigrants are workers. They are here working, supporting their families. They are not involved in any kind of criminal activity," she said.

The Border Network of Human Rights is holding marches and rallies in communities asking Governor Martinez to give up what they call an unconstitutional move.

"We want to give our point to her that everybody should have a driver's license and we don't want her to keep on going with this thing she has about taking away the driver's licenses," said Araceli Alvarado, participant in march and rally in Las Cruces.

The letters asking 10,000 foreign nationals living in New Mexico to reverify residency and identity within thirty days or face cancellation of their current driver's licenses is something opponents call a low tactic.

"We see that this is a political move that has no basis to improve public safety. What she is doing is setting the stage in a way she thinks it's going to help her during the special session of the New Mexico legislature starting next month," said Jose Manuel Escobedo, policy director for the Border Network for Human Rights.

Reported by Carlos Correa

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[memama2]

goru426 - ship back all illegals. Build a super max big bad aszz boarder fence. And add on 1000 more boarder agents and drones. And watch America begin an economic recovery in 6 months or less. If you WORRY about these people? Go to South America and begin a flop house and hand out all your savings!

[memama2]

..they now only get a drivers liscense but a mail in voter ballot (WA State allows this also) So now the voter rolls are fraud. And the dims and liberals like that.

[rusty1491]

Illegal aliens can get an International Drivers license like any traveler. This has to do with usurping the Naturalization process.

[PatriotSue]

ALL ILLEGALS are CRIMINALS. ILLEGALS have NO RIGHT to be in the U.S. ILLEGALLY. DEPORT. DEPORT. DEPORT. DEPORT. DEPORT. 

[Bokismoki77]

All undocumented immigrants in the country have to be DEORTED as soon as possible. Just make new anti-illegals and enforce the existing laws, so they will SELF-DEPORT. That is the best scenario for all of us. Make them take their kids when deported as every parents always do. Kids should never be separated from parents. Teach them how to be responsable parents. Secure the border with fence and armed military patrols. Go after employers that hire illegals, and visitors that over stayed visas.

[goru426]

Suzanna Marines is such an asshole!

Leave all those hard working immigrants alone. Let the Federal government deal with immigration.