Gov. Still Wants Full Repeal of License Law

SANTA FE – Gov. Susana Martinez on Wednesday explained her position on possible compromises on her push to repeal the state law allowing illegal immigrants to get New Mexico driver’s licenses.

The Republican governor said she would prefer the Legislature to pass a full repeal that doesn’t include a special driving permit for illegal immigrants.

“That doesn’t mean that I won’t get various versions of this law from various different legislators that will actually pass both sides of the House and the Senate, so I can get various versions and then choose from those versions, but to repeal the law is my No. 1 priority,” Martinez told reporters in Albuquerque on Wednesday.

Martinez earlier had told the Journal she would consider other legislation that would create a new driver’s permit if the proposed permit card could not be used for identification or be transferred for use in another state.

“If we have something that proposes that, and takes care of public safety, I’m certainly willing to take a look at it,” Martinez told the Journal on Tuesday.

Public safety concerns previously cited by the Republican governor have centered on nonresidents traveling to New Mexico to fraudulently obtain driver’s licenses for use elsewhere. Martinez, during past legislative sessions, had said she would veto any legislation that would allow illegal immigrants to lawfully drive in New Mexico.

Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez, D-Belen, after the governor’s remarks on Wednesday, said Martinez is sending mixed signals regarding a compromise on the driver’s license issue.

“It sounds like we’ve got some mixed messages right now, so let’s see what happens,” Sanchez said.

Martinez’s indication of support for a compromise came after key supporters of a full repeal – Sen. Stuart Ingle, R-Portales, and Sen. John Arthur Smith, D-Deming, – said they would consider drafting a bill to create an illegal immigrant driver’s permit to end the two-year legislative standoff if the full repeal effort falters this year.

Gov. Still Wants Full Repeal of License LawBut Martinez would consider driving permits

ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS
— This article appeared on page A6 of the Albuquerque Journal