Gov. Susana Martinez announced plans last week for a program that would require foreign nationals with New Mexico driver’s licenses to prove that they are state residents.
The Motor Vehicle Division sent letters to 10,000 foreign nationals who have New Mexico driver’s licenses last week, requiring them to schedule an in-person appointment to verify their residency. The verification program is a result of recommendations from the Taxation and Revenue Department, the MVD and Martinez’s efforts.
“New Mexico’s driver’s licenses are not secure,” Martinez said in a statement. “We are one of only two states that offer licenses to illegal immigrants, and our state has become a destination spot for people from other states and around the world who wish to obtain an official government-issued ID-card.”
More than 85,000 foreign nationals without a Social Security Number have obtained New Mexico’s driver’s licenses since a law was passed in 2003, according to a release issued by the Governor’s Office. Securing New Mexico driver’s licenses was a top priority for Martinez during her 2010 campaign for governor.
UNM Student Robert Dimas said some students see the measure as racist.
“There’s no way to do that without profiling,” he said. “If you got your citizenship legally and you have all your paperwork, there should be nothing to hide.”
