The State of New Mexico failed to repeal a law that allows illegal immigrants to obtain state driver’s licenses. The Republican sponsored initiative hoped to mandate that anyone getting a driver’s license in the state would require providing proof of immigration status.
The 25-14 vote followed party lines with Democrats making an emotional plea to their Republican colleagues. The New Mexico legislature is dominated by Democrats and in 2003 passed the law, one of three in the country that would allow undocumented individuals to obtained driver’s license.
There was hope that the bill would pass and some Democrats were on board until several Republicans added an amendment that would revoke the existing drivers license of undocumented individuals instead of just prohibiting the future issuing of drivers license to them.
