Thread: NM: Martinez To 'Tighten' Rules on Licenses for Immigrants;

Martinez To 'Tighten' Rules on Licenses for Immigrants;
Governor vows to use executive authority

Albuquerque Journal
March 17, 2011
By Sean Olson

Gov. Susana Martinez said in a KANW radio interview Wednesday that she plans to use her executive powers to "tighten" regulations on issuing driver's licenses to illegal immigrants and other foreign nationals if the Legislature won't ban the practice. Martinez has been aggressively pushing for a repeal of the 2003 state law that allows for illegal immigrants to obtain licenses, and one such repeal passed the House.

Senators have changed the bill to allow for licenses but have included new regulations that would crack down on fraud related to the practice.

Martinez said in the interview with Mark Bentley that she will veto the Senate version of the bill.

"What's better is implementing rules and regulations in the department of motor vehicles that will allow us to tighten up the issuance of those driver's licenses much more and beyond the proposed bill," Martinez said.

Martinez spokesman Scott Darnell said Wednesday that although Martinez can make it more difficult for illegal immigrants to obtain driver's licenses under the state law, it would still be up to the Legislature to get rid of the practice altogether.

"As was mentioned on the Senate floor last week and utilized by previous administrations, the governor can take specific actions to ensure that the administration of our licensing laws is promoting public safety and efficiency," Darnell said.

"Ultimately, though, the Legislature will need to overturn the policy."

Darnell is referring to a speech made by Senate President Pro Tem Tim Jennings, D-Roswell, in which he said he believed Martinez could accomplish her goals of banning the issuance of driver's licenses to foreign nationals through her administrative power, but placed the onus on the Legislature for political reasons.

Adding to the drive for license overhaul were statements from Republican Secretary of State Dianna Duran on Tuesday that she had found potential cases of foreign nationals illegally voting in elections - although she has yet to confirm that fraud was committed.

On Wednesday, the American Civil Liberties Union said it would be investigating Duran's practices to ensure "the transparency and objectivity of the investigation," according to an ACLU news release.

"We want to know the motivations behind this investigation and the validity of any assertions that the New Mexico law allowing driver's licenses for all immigrants contributed to voter fraud," said Peter Simonson, ACLU New Mexico executive director, in a statement.

"We take claims of voter fraud seriously, because they undermine voter confidence in our electoral system and tend to discourage participation in elections. We also wish to ensure that any exchange of records in this investigation did not violate voter privacy guarantees that are written into state law."

Immigrants' rights groups and some Democrats have also been fighting Martinez on the issue of repealing the driver's license law.

http://www6.lexisnexis.com/publisher/En ... 83&start=3

Gov. Susana Martinez said in a KANW radio interview Wednesday that she plans to use her executive powers to "tighten" regulations on issuing driver's licenses to illegal immigrants and other foreign nationals if the Legislature won't ban the practice. Martinez has been aggressively pushing for a repeal of the 2003 state law that allows for illegal immigrants to obtain licenses, and one such repeal passed the House.

It will be a difficult task Gov. Martinez, because undocumented aliens can use those driver licenses to cast votes.

And this Is why an "Illegal" should NEVER get a license....