ABQJOURNAL OPINION/GUEST_COLUMNS: Don't Drive Immigrants Underground

Saturday, March 05, 2011

Don't Drive Immigrants Underground

By The Rev. Trey Hammond And And Msgr. Richard Olona
La Mesa Presbyterian; Risen Savior Catholic Community
          Our faith traditions teach us to welcome the stranger and to love our neighbor, no matter where they're from or how they got here. Our democratic traditions teach us that America is made stronger when we do. In the debate over immigrant driver's licenses, those teachings are also in New Mexicans' safety and economic interests.
        Evidence shows that we are all safer when immigrants prove their identities and fitness to drive when applying for a license. We all benefit from fewer uninsured drivers and lower insurance rates.
        Gov. Susana Martinez has called for repeal of a 2003 law that allows people without a Social Security number to apply for a driver's license using a federally-issued, IRS individual taxpayer identification number. The law passed with bipartisan support and endorsements from a broad coalition of law enforcement, immigrant rights advocates and community and faith-based organizations. Requirements now include proof of residency, photo identification and in-person, face-to-face meetings with MVD officials.
        For eight years New Mexicans have benefitted from this law, enjoying lower insurance rates, better tools for law enforcement to identify and apprehend criminals and safer streets and highways. Our uninsured motorist rate is down from 21 percent in 2003 to 9 percent in 2010, with revenues of more than $17 million in MVD license and registration fees.
        Requiring immigrant drivers to obtain licenses makes us all safer. Law enforcement is safer when they can easily access the names, photos and home addresses of those they encounter. We're all safer — physically and economically — when more drivers have insurance and prove they're able to drive.
        As New Mexicans concerned with public safety, we support efforts to tighten up and fine-tune current law to prevent fraud. However, we reject the notion that we should repeal a law that has had a positive impact on our state. The administration has not presented a valid case for doing so.
        Stories of foreigners arrested while fraudulently applying for licenses and out-of-state phone calls for MVD appointments are offered as examples of why the driver's license law should be repealed. In fact, they're evidence that the law is working, that New Mexican authorities are catching those committing fraud.
        The issue of driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants should be decided based on what is best for New Mexicans. It should not be determined by outside interests or an agenda that targets immigrants.
        We do a disservice to all if we create a class of drivers who cannot get a license or insurance. Immigrants will still have to drive to work, school, and to worship. We should not make these activities illegal and more dangerous for all.
        Revoking New Mexican's driver's licenses will do little but drive up insurance rates and endanger our public safety. We urge Martínez and state legislators to turn from this divisive issue to the far more important concerns of passing a fair and just budget, creating jobs and improving education.
        We pray that New Mexico will continue to be a place that honors and respects the strangers in our midst, not one that rejects and alienates our neighbors.
        This column was written on behalf of Albuquerque Interfaith, an organization of congregations, schools, union locals and non-profits.

You also can send comments via our comment form