Keep Driver's Licenses for Undocumented in New Mexico

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La Opinión, Editorial, Posted: Sep 12, 2011

LOS ANGELES -- New Mexico is one of the few states that still allows the undocumented to obtain driver’s licenses. This will no longer be the case if Governor Susana Martinez’s has her way.

Martinez, who took office last January, campaigned in favor of eliminating licenses and now wants to fulfill her promise despite the opposition from the Democrat-led state legislature.

She has argued that the licenses are a magnet for the undocumented and that giving out official identification to individuals without papers is a serious threat to public safety.

These are tired old excuses, especially in terms of public safety.

Licenses for the undocumented were approved back in 2003 in New Mexico as a way to address the problem of those driving without a license or car insurance as well as a way to build ties between law enforcement and the immigrant community.

We believe to eliminate driver’s licenses for the undocumented actually threatens rather than strengthens public security.

For example, this is the way to register digital fingerprints and to secure a valid address. If not for this, there would be no way to have this information on individuals who entered and are living in the country illegally.

Fortunately it will be very difficult for Martinez to get her way given opposition from the majority in the legislature. This means that the undocumented will register with a state agency, they will be able to obtain car insurance, and there will be no negative impact on the collaboration between law enforcement and the immigrant community.


New Mexicans are certainly much safer this way than they would be with the Governor’s idea.
Otherwise unobtainable information is secured with driver’s licenses
 

Comments

 

Anonymous

Posted Sep 12 2011

DO YOUR HOMEWORK BEFORE YOU WRITE SUCH A STUPID COLUMN...YOU DO NOT GIVE YOUR FINGER PRINTS TO GET A LICENSE IN NM, AND ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS SHOW A UTILITY BILL, WHICH DOES NOT REQUIRE PROFF OF CITIZENSHIP... IN YOUR NEXT COLUMN YOU SHOULD MENTION THAT OVER 70% OF ACTUAL NM RESIDENTS WANT THIS LAW OVERTURNED. THE OTHER 30% ARE BRAINDEAD LIBERAL DEMOCRATS WHO DONT GIVE A SHIT ABOUT OUR COUNTRY..THIS IS JUST AN ISSUE USED FOR PANDERING TO ILLEGALS IN HOPES OF GETTING THIER ILLIGITIMATE VOTES.

Anonymous

Posted Sep 12 2011

Wow, this is the worst article I've ever read.

The VAST majority of New Mexicans support Governor Martinez. I know, because I am one. Very few oppose Martinez's proposal, and the few that do are bitterly partisan politicians or illegals themselves.

Handing out drivers licenses to illegal immigrants is an insult to Americans and LEGAL immigrants throughout the United States.

It's also worth mentioning that if the bill isn't passed, those of us who are in this country legally will have to go through the inconvenience of having to buy a passport to fly within our very own country. I don't think I should have to be punished for someone else's crime.

Anonymous

Posted Sep 12 2011

Wow, this is the worst article I've ever read.

The VAST majority of New Mexicans support Governor Martinez. I know, because I am one. Very few oppose Martinez's proposal, and the few that do are bitterly partisan politicians or illegals themselves.

Handing out drivers licenses to illegal immigrants is an insult to Americans and LEGAL immigrants throughout the United States.

It's also worth mentioning that if the bill isn't passed, those of us who are in this country legally will have to go through the inconvenience of having to buy a passport to fly within our very own country. I don't think I should have to be punished for someone else's crime.

Anonymous

Posted Sep 15 2011

Giving a driver's license to illegal aliens sends the wrong message. It's like saying, "you broke our immigration laws, but we are no longer a nation of laws and have no real borders".

Anonymous

Posted Sep 18 2011

Were Governor Susana Martinez’s parents or grand parents legal immigrants???

Anonymous

Posted Sep 21 2011

Seriously what is wrong with people!? Why is it the illegals are such a threat?! This is why there are wars in the world! Cool I understand the country doent want crimials and they want them out and that's fine but what about all the hardworking people that pay taxes and work trying to make a living and give their children a better life? Since when is it a crime to want the best for your children? Ovbiously all you posting this haven't been in an illegals shoes! Instead of critizising be grateful your situation isn't theirs!

Anonymous

Posted Mar 8

I agree with gov.martinez. My thought is get rid of the liberals and most of our many other problems can be solved . anonymous.

Anonymous

Posted Mar 8

I agree with gov.martinez. My thought is get rid of the liberals and most of our many other problems can be solved . anonymous.

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