Block on immigrant driver's licenses fails

New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez, a Republican, suffered a temporary political setback yesterday in a bid to stop New Mexico from granting driver's licenses to illegal immigrants.

A legislative committee shelved her proposal and approved a Democrat-backed alternative that continues to allow licenses for illegal immigrants but with new restrictions.

The politically charged fight is far from over, however. The legislation heads to another panel for consideration and Martinez stands a strong chance of success if the issue reaches the full 70-member House for a vote. A measure to overturn New Mexico's license policy for immigrants passed the House last year with the support of eight Democrats and one independent.

"I've got all the votes I need in the House," said Rep. Andy Nunez, a Hatch independent sponsoring the governor's proposal.

Nunez conceded it's very uncertain whether the measure can clear the Democrat-controlled Senate, which solidly rejected it last year.

The House Labor and Human Resources Committee voted 5-4 on a party-line split for what Democrats described as a compromise proposal. Republicans opposed it.

The measure allows illegal immigrants to continue getting licenses but for only two years before needing renewal. Currently, licenses can last four or eight years. The measure increases penalties for license fraud and will cancel licenses previously issued to foreign nationals if they renew them within two years - allowing the state to determine whether people remain New Mexico residents.

House Majority Leader Ken Martinez, a Democrat, said the state's license policy allows illegal immigrants to "come up from the shadows" so they can drive to work and take their children to school and other places without fear of arrest for not having a license. The committee-approved restrictions will "really hit the bad guys hard," he said.

State law enforcement and Martinez administration officials told the committee that New Mexico's licensing law posed a security risk to the state and rest of the country.

"This has never been an immigration issue. It's not about immigration. It's simply about public safety and security," said Keith Gardner, the governor's chief of staff.

But church leaders and immigrant rights advocates disagreed, saying a driver's license is critical for immigrants living and working in New Mexico, many with U.S.-born children. The push to repeal New Mexico's law is stirring an anti-immigrant sentiment, they said.