House gets ban on illegals' licenses

SANTA FE (KRQE) - The House Judiciary Committee late Friday approved a bill to ban drivers licenses for illegal immigrants after efforts to find a compromise failed.

A bipartisan group had been trying to find common ground with Gov. Susana Martinez and the Senate but couldn't do it.

One Democratic version would have continued the licenses but for shorter terms and with tighter restrictions.

There was also a proposal to give illegals temporary permits that could be used for driving but not for ID or other purposes.

But Martinez refused to deal.

"I'm not willing to continue to provide driver's licenses to illegal immigrants," Martinez said. "They want a compromise that continues to do that

"I think New Mexicans have spoken loud and clear. They do not want to continue to give driver's licenses to illegal immigrants."

Judiciary Committee chair Rep. Al Park, D-Albuquerque, said he encouraged members to work out a compromise on the bill and that key players had been meeting since Wednesday night.

"Because of external factors, it was not possible to satisfy all parties," he said in a statement released after the vote. "We must continue to work on this issue.

"Should we not address the problems that have been presented, we will fail the good people of New Mexico.”

In the end the committee on a 9-6 voter approved House Bill 103, a total ban introduced by Rep. Andy Nuñez, I-Hatch.

The full House passed the ban during the 2011 session, but it died in the Senate. If the House does the same this year, the bill's fate in the Senate is uncertain.