Gov. Susana Martinez renews push to end driver's licenses for illegal immigrants

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
January 15, 2013 - 5:16 pm EST

SANTA FE, New Mexico — Republican lawmakers gave Gov. Susana Martinez a standing ovation as she renewed her push to stop New Mexico from issuing driver's licenses to illegal immigrants.

Martinez used her state of the state address on Tuesday to ask lawmakers to repeal a 2003 law allowing driver's licenses for illegal immigrants and others without a Social Security number.

GOP lawmakers cheered when the governor outlined the proposal.

Democrats have blocked the measure during the past two years.

The GOP governor contends it's a public safety risk to issue licenses to illegal immigrants.

Supporters of the licensing law say it deals with the reality that some people working and raising families in New Mexico are illegally in the country, and need to drive to their jobs as well as take children to school.

Gov. Susana Martinez renews push to end driver's licenses for illegal immigrants