Natalie Gonnella
As a number of states hesitate on immigration reform, last week Governor Susana Martinez inched closer to fulfilling her campaign promise to stop the issuing of New Mexico drivers' licenses to undocumented immigrants.
During a vote on Friday in the state's Democrat controlled House of Representatives, New Mexico legislators passed a bill which would prevent illegal immigrants from obtaining drivers licenses 42-28.
In a statement applauding the House decision, Governor Martinez said:
Today, the will of the people of New Mexico was heard in the House of Representatives.Despite numerous procedural schemes to defend the status quo, a broad coalition of Republicans, Democrats, and the House’s lone Independent came together to stand with an overwhelming majority of New Mexicans who want to see the dangerous practice of issuing driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants overturned. I hope the Senate will also listen to the people of New Mexico and give this bill an up-or-down vote.
Although the bill is expected to face a stringent challenge in the state's upper chamber, should New Mexico senators pass the legislation, the number of states issuing licenses to illegal immigrants dwindles to two: Utah and Washington.
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