The number newly issued driver's licenses to immigrants in New Mexico again has plunged to its lowest level since the state began granting driving privileges to foreign nationals living in the country illegally.
State records obtained by The Associated Press showed only 4,026 licenses were issued to foreign nationals in 2015. That's a 73 percent drop from 2010 before Gov. Susana Martinez became governor and when New Mexico issued more than 15,000 such licenses.
Records also show the number of licenses issued has been steadily declining since 2010.
There's no clear explanation for the decrease and there has been no change to state's policy as lawmakers work on a REAL ID fix.
Officials do not know how many licenses went to immigrants living in the U.S. illegally because applicants aren't required to submit information on immigration status.
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