House OKs repealing illegals' licenses

SANTA FE (KRQE) - After more than three hours of debate, the New Mexico House of Representatives voted late Wednesday afternoon by a wide margin in favor of the bill to ban driver's licenses for illegal immigrants.

Eleven Democrats voted for the repeal, tipping the vote to 45-25. Last year, the same bill passed the House by a vote of 42-28.

House Bill 103, sponsored by Rep. Andy Nuñez, the Independent from Hatch, would only allow people in the country legally on work or student visas to get driver's licenses. Supporters said a full repeal is the only way to crack down on the fraud and abuse that surrounds the license program.

"Number one, they want a repeal. Period," said Rep. Bill Rehm, R-Albuquerque. "I think we need to give the citizens what they requested."

But opponents of the repeal said it would be devastating to New Mexico's immigrant families. A group of Democrats tried to amend the bill on the floor to allow illegal immigrants to continue getting licenses.

They called for tougher residency requirements, fingerprinting, harsher penalties for fraud, and a review of all the licenses handed out to illegal immigrants since 2003. The amendment failed.

Santa Fe Democrat Rep. Brian Egolf, D-Santa Fe, who voted against the repeal, said the bill will not pass the Senate where Democrats hold a large majority, which means the issue will likely not be resolved this session.

"If we don't pass a compromise, all the fraud, all the abuse will continue for another year," said Egolf. "So my question to the governor is, if you really believe that this is a national security threat as you say it is, why are you letting the problem continue for a year?"

However, Gov. Susana Martinez late Wednesday issued a statement praising the House for passing the repeal.

"It's time for the Senate to also stand with the people of New Mexico and repeal this dangerous law," said a governor's spokesperson.

The bill now moves to the Senate, where a bill similar to the House Democrat's amended version is circulating through committees.

The session ends Feb. 16.

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