Catch-22 for Illegal Aliens?



New Mexico is one of only two states that issues driver’s licenses to illegal aliens – but only if they are resident in the state. The state’s governor, Susana Martinez, has announced a new campaign to require foreign license applicants to appear in person to establish their residence in the state.

This initiative has defenders of illegal aliens crying foul. “Because some of those now being summoned for residency verification are illegal immigrants from southern New Mexico, they said they could not travel to Albuquerque. The trip north from Las Cruces or other border towns requires a stop at a U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint. Illegal immigrants say this would subject them to officers whose job is to deport them.”

Perhaps John Morton, Director of ICE, will solve their dilemma by adding New Mexico driver’s license applicants to his long list of deportable aliens for whom his agency will exercise “prosecutorial discretion.”

About Author

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Jack, who joined FAIR’s National Board of Advisors in 2017, is a retired U.S. diplomat with consular experience. He has testified before the U.S. Congress, U.S. Civil Rights Commission, and U.S. Commission on Immigration Reform and has authored studies of immigration issues. His national and international print, TV, and talk radio experience is extensive (including in Spanish).

7 Comments

  1. avatar

    Thanks
    Along with the influx of illegals from AZ, now California will have to deal with a fresh crop of New Mexico’s riff-raff too?

    Best solution: Deport; deport often

  2. avatar

    They should be deported, they don’t belong here. They knew full well, when they crossed the border they were breaking our laws. They need to go home NOW!!! We don’t want them, we as tax payers are tired of supporting them. If Obama wants to cut the budget..he needs to quite supporting the illegals, they cost our country billions each year.

  3. avatar

    Lets hear it for New Mexico;. Use a drivers license as bait and then catch them when they come in to apply. I love it!!!!!!

  4. avatar
    Betty Rinderknecht on

    You mean there is only one place to get a drivers license in New Mexico? How strange. In the three states I have lived in and needed driver license there were deputy stations in many cities where people go to get their licenses. In the small town I now live in the license office is about two blocks from my apartment. It’s not a good idea to have so many folks getting their license by mail. Get modern you states who have mail in license applications.

    • avatar

      THE ARZ. GOV. SHOULD ALLOW ILLEGALS TO CROSS THE BORDER AND GIVE FREE BUSING TO THE NEW MEX. BODER AND OTHER STATES THAT LOVE ILLEGALS.

    • avatar

      There was only one site beign used for verificaion of foreigners who had obtained the state’s D/Ls, but because of the complaints a second location in the south of the state is scheduled to be opened.