State has new way to stop license fraud

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) - Governor Susana Martinez has made it no secret she would like to repeal the law that allows illegal immigrants to get a New Mexico driver's license. Now the state is stepping up efforts to crack down on fraud and other issues that will impact everyone who gets a license in the state.

Demesia Padilla with the Tax and Rev Department says New Mexico has become the place to go for illegal immigrants and criminals who don't live here, but who want a New Mexico driver's license.

She says the state is putting in new computer software at MVD's to make sure documents used to show New Mexico residency are legitimate.

Padilla says the state is also opening an MVD field office in Albuquerque that will handle foreign national applicants in the state's largest city. She says that will not only cut down on fraud, but also long lines at other MVD offices too, where the wait time can be hours.

"We're being as aggressive as we can in order to try to provide the best service that we can to all New Mexicans, and reduce the wait times, " Padilla said.

The state hopes to have the new software in place by the end of the year, and the field office open by the end of the summer.