Immigrant groups defend licenses for illegal immigrants
KOB Eyewitness News 4
By: Cristina Rodda
Posted at: 08/26/2011 6:00 PM

Immigrant advocates are shaking their fingers at the three suspected Chinese crime ring leaders accused of selling New Mexico licenses. They are also planning a peaceful protest against Governor Susana Martinez' work to take away driver's licenses from illegal immigrants.

A woman who helps the immigrant community live and thrive here in Albuquerque said she heard about the nearly four hundred indictments against the alleged Chinese crime ring leaders accused of illegally selling New Mexico driver's licenses.

Bertha Campos works with illegal immigrants; making food and helping them earn money.

Campos said, "We are a very united community."

Campos believes everyone has a right to a form of identification.

Campos said, "We can identify ourselves, we can have insurance for our cars, either way it is a necessity having a driver's license. We all have kids in the schools we have to take them and pick them up."

On Thursday, three men were indicted with nearly 400 counts each, accused of selling New Mexico driver's licenses for $1,500.

"They would advertise for New Mexico driver's license in the state of New York and offer people a package where they could fly to New Mexico, paperwork would be prepared for them and they could receive a New Mexico driver's license," said District Attorney Kari Brandenburg.

Brandenburg explained that about 62 people applied for a license but she's not sure how many got one. New Mexico's Governor spoke out about the indictments claiming it's just another example of why the New Mexico driver's license law should be repealed and this case is embarrassing for the state.

Campos claims Governor Martinez is going after the wrong people.

"In doing that it is not right, it is a lack of responsibility, and for one we all suffer," Campos added.

The governor said the driver's license law makes the U.S. unsafe. She said it's difficult to tell if the person applying for the license is in New Mexico to work or to commit crimes.

Illegal immigrant advocates are planning a peaceful march for September 1st in front of an MVD office on the corner of Central and San Mateo.

http://www.kob.com/article/stories/S225 ... ml?cat=504