NM House committee: Undocumented immigrants can still get licenses
By Milan Simonich / Santa Fe Bureau
Posted: 02/19/2011 03:35:32 PM MST

SANTA FE - Three Democrats today stopped bills that would have ended New Mexico's practice of issuing driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants.

The House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee voted 3-2 to table, or block, different bills to stop licensing drivers who do not have proof of immigration status.

One bill by Rep. Andy Nunez of Hatch would have required a Social Security number or a valid visa to obtain a driver's license.

Nunez, the only independent in the House of Representatives, said the four-hour hearing was overtaken by an emotional crowd that focused on immigration. He said the only issue to him was public safety, and how it is compromised by the existing law.

"The people here illegally should not get driver's licenses," Nunez said. "Because of this decision, they will continue getting them."

Gov. Susana Martinez backed Nunez's proposal, HB 78.

The committee, also on a 3-2 vote, blocked a separate bill by Rep. David Chavez that would have allowed those in the country illegally to obtain one-year driver permits good only in New Mexico.

The permits would not have allowed recipients to drive in other states, nor would they have been valid as government-issued identification to board an airplane or enter a secure building, such as a federal courthouse.

Chavez, a Republican from Valencia, did not have the governor's support for his proposal, HB 401. Martinez's administration said his bill did not address the fundamental problem of people without proof of immigration status receiving driving privileges.

Albuquerque Democrats Moe Maestas, Gail Chasey and Bill O'Neill voted to block the bills.

Republicans Dennis Kintigh of Roswell and Thomas A. Anderson of Albuquerque voted against stopping the bills. They tried to move both measures out of committee, but were outvoted by the Democrats.

O'Neill also had a bill to tighten the licensing system. He withdrew it, at least for the short term, after Kintigh questioned how effective it could be.

Please see Sunday's edition for more details.

Santa Fe Bureau Chief Milan Simonich can be reached at msimonich@-tnmnp.com or 505-820-6898. His blog is at nmcapitolreport.com.

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