By KRWG News
New Mexico – SANTA FE, N.M. (KRWG) State records show the flow of driver's licenses to immigrants has slowed since New Mexico tightened its application system last year, and the drop-off steepened after Republican Gov. Susana Martinez took office in January promising to end the licensing policy.
A review of records by The Associated Press found that immigrant licenses those issued for the first time to people without a Social Security number dropped 57 percent during the first seven months of the Martinez administration compared to the same period a year ago.
Immigrant licenses declined 44 percent in the past 12 months compared with the previous one-year period.
The decline started in August 2010 after foreign nationals were required to make an appointment at a Motor Vehicle Division office to get a driver's license.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. KRWG