Thread: Groups protest session over proposed repeal of NM driver's l

Groups protest session over proposed repeal of NM driver's licenses for illegal immigrants

Article by: RUSSELL CONTRERAS , Associated Press Updated: September 6, 2011 - 4:01 PM

SANTA FE, N.M. - Chanting "Jesus was an immigrant," advocates greeted state lawmakers Tuesday as they returned for a special session that could consider a proposed repeal of a law that lets those illegally in the country get New Mexico driver's licenses.

About 60 protesters and advocates, bused in from southern New Mexico by the group Border Network for Human Rights, lobbied lawmakers and presented a petition signed by 5,000 residents to Gov. Susana Martinez.

Outside the Capitol, about 150 tea party members held a counter-protest in support of the Republican governor's plan to repeal the driver's license law.

Martinez added the issue, along with a number of others, to the call for the special legislative session on redistricting. She wants to repeal the law over fears that it jeopardizes public safety and attracts illegal immigrants who fraudulently claim to live in the state only to get ID cards that make it easier to stay in the country.

Advocates, however, said the law allows more drivers to be insured in the state and helps law enforcement obtain needed safety data. They said the fraud cases Martinez often cites for reasons to change the law are isolated.

They also said less than 5 percent of New Mexico drivers are in the country illegally.

Alberto Lino, 32, of Las Cruces, N.M., said he came to Santa Fe to talk to lawmakers on the benefits of the current law. Disabled and bound to a wheelchair, Lino said he can't drive.

"But my wife, who is undocumented, can," said Lino. "Without this law, we can't get around and we won't have insurance. This helps us and the rest of the state."

Adriana Cadena, alliance director of the Border Network for Human Rights, said the attempt to repeal the law was part of a larger campaign to target immigrants.

"It goes against the diversity of the state," she said.

Outside the Capitol building, Linda Sedillos, 59, of Albuquerque, N.M., took part in the tea party rally and held a sign that expressed support for Gov. Martinez.

"Illegal is illegal," said Sedillos. "It's not a race issue. I'm Hispanic. I just think (the law) makes us unsafe."

A repeal of driver's license law failed in the state Senate during the 60-day legislative session earlier this year.

State Rep. Andy Nunez, I-Hatch, a sponsor of the repeal, said he believed the law has a better chance of passing this time due to all of the press coverage around the issue.

Nunez said he, as a Mexican-American, took offense to critics who charged that the repeal effort was based on race.

"This is not just about Mexicans," said Nunez. "It's Russians. It's about Poles. It's about people coming here illegally."

Nunez said that since the law's passage in 2003, he had seen a number of immigrants trying to use all sorts of fake documents to obtain driver's licenses.

New Mexico is one of three states — including Washington and Utah — where illegal immigrants can get a driver's license because no proof of citizenship is required. Utah's permits cannot be used as government ID cards.

Another immigrant rally was planned Thursday in Santa Fe by another immigrant advocacy group, the Santa Fe-based Somos Un Pueblo Unido.


http://www.startribune.com/nation/129321458.html

The trouble with giving licenses to illegal aliens is that it does not effect how they drive. If they are good drivers they are safe drivers without a license and if they are bad drivers not being able to get a license does not cause them to stop driving in their case badly.

a New Mexico, or any other license for an illegal immigrant, assists them in every effort that costs us taxpayers more money. It allows them to cross the length and breadth of our nation because a drivers license, as it turns out , is more than a license o drive a car. Of course, if the fed was not loaded with Hispanic loving employees, this would be a violation of federal law.

"Jesus was an immigrant,"

WHAT!?!?!?!?!

Jesus was a Galilean from within the Promised Land, according to Nubmers 34. Besides that, he was also known as Jesus of Nazareth, born in Bethlehem of Judea in the City of David. Joseph and Mary were from Nazareth. Judea was the inheritance of the Tribe of Judah, one of the 12 Tribes of Israel. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob said to have been buried at Hebron inside of Judea. Judea was a center of Jewish government. I could just go on and on about how wrong the statement that Jesus was an immigrant is. Jesus was a Jew from Israel and a descendant of King David.

Galilee is south of Lebanon and west of the Jordon River.

People need to read the Bible and stop letting others tell them what's in it.

The last three verses of the Bible caution people about tampering with the contents of the Scripture.

Revelations: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Dixie

AMEN, Dixie!!!!

Jesus was a Jew who came and spoke to the Jewish people. Only after they rejected Him and crucified Him did He come to Saul (Paul) who then, with several other disciples, took the Gospel to the surrounding areas.

These same people who chant "Jesus was an immigrant" really need to study the Bible and learn the function of government. Even Jesus said, "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."

God gave us governments to keep order which requires LAWS, which these people protesting don't want to obey. These are not unfair laws--many nations have similar or even much more strict immigration laws (look at Mexico!). We MUST know who is crossing our border, and have some manner of controlling who comes into our nation. If possible, half the world would come to the US, which would overwhelm us and our resources. It's not practical, so we must have laws to control that.

Originally Posted by misterbill

a New Mexico, or any other license for an illegal immigrant, assists them in every effort that costs us taxpayers more money. It allows them to cross the length and breadth of our nation because a drivers license, as it turns out , is more than a license o drive a car. Of course, if the fed was not loaded with Hispanic loving employees, this would be a violation of federal law.

I couldn't agree more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gee, they could only get 60 protestors and they had to bus them? Whoa! That's a huge number! Anyone checking those 5000 signatures? Are they all US citizens?

What does Jesus have to do with illegal aliens demanding drivers licenses? Jesus didn't have a license or a car. Stop trotting out Jesus when it only serves your selfish needs. Keep him out of state/government affairs.

I could care less if not having licenses makes life harder for illegals. That's the point! They should not be here, we don't want them here and it's time to hit the road jack!