A Republican-sponsored bill aimed at putting New Mexico in compliance with the federal REAL ID Act has passed in the House.
The proposal was approved 39-30 along largely party lines on Wednesday, setting up a showdown with the Democratic-controlled Senate.
Under the proposal, New Mexico would begin issuing REAL ID-compliant licenses and end the practice of granting state driver's licenses to immigrants in the country illegally. Instead, the bill would allow such immigrants to obtain "driver's permit cards."
The bill has drawn angry responses from immigrant advocates and Democrats who say such cards would open up some immigrants to discrimination and possible deportation.
The Senate has yet to hold a committee meeting on its own REAL ID fix proposal creating a "two-tier" system.
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7:30 p.m.
A New Mexico House Democratic proposal to make the state REAL ID compliant and create a "two-tier" system has failed.
The bill failed 31-38 on Wednesday largely along party lines during a partisan debate over how to make New Mexico compliant under the federal REAL ID Act.
Rep Javier Martinez, an Albuquerque Democrat, had introduced the plan that would create a "two-tier" system allowing immigrants in the country illegal to obtain driver's licenses.
House members are now debating a GOP-backed proposal to allow New Mexico to begin issuing REAL ID-compliant licenses and end the practice of granting state driver's licenses to immigrants in the country illegally.
Instead, that bill would allow such immigrants to obtain "driver's permit cards."
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7:15 p.m.
31-38
New Mexico House Democrats are trying to stall a GOP-proposal to make the state in compliance with the federal REAL ID Act by pushing an alternative.
Rep Javier Martinez of Albuquerque introduced Wednesday a plan that would create a "two-tier" system allowing immigrants in the country illegal to obtain driver's licenses.
Members of the GOP-controlled House are debating both proposals Wednesday as lawmakers work to put New Mexico in compliance under the REAL ID Act.
Democrats and Republicans remain at odd whether immigrants living in the country illegally should continue to get state driver's licenses or driver's permit cards.
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6:15 p.m.
A New Mexico Latina GOP lawmaker is denouncing a Democratic lawmaker for comparing a Republican-backed REAL ID fix to slavery.
Rep. Monica Youngblood said Wednesday that remarks by Rep. Javier Martinez posted on his Facebook page were "careless" and "unacceptable."
Martinez, an Albuquerque Democrat, compared the GOP bill to "sanctioned slavery" because it would "legitimize discrimination" against immigrants in the country illegally.
New Mexico House members were debating the Republican bill on Wednesday.
Under the proposal, New Mexico would begin to issue REAL ID-compliant licenses and end the practice of granting state driver's licenses to immigrants in the country illegally. Instead, the bill would allow such immigrants to obtain "driver's permit cards."
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5:15 p.m.
A Democratic lawmaker says a GOP House proposal bill aimed at putting New Mexico in compliance with the federal REAL ID Act would make some immigrants "indentured servants."
Rep. Miguel Garcia said Wednesday the proposal would discrimination against immigrants living in the country illegally and transform the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Department into a deportation "pipeline."
Garcia's remarks came during a partisan debate over the bill in the full New Mexico House. The debate is expected to sparked heated rhetoric from some lawmakers.
Rep. Javier Martínez, an Albuquerque Democrat, compares the proposal on his Facebook page to slavery.
Under the proposal, New Mexico would begin to issue REAL ID-compliant licenses and end the practice of granting state driver's licenses to immigrants in the country illegally. Instead, the bill would allow such immigrants to obtain "driver's permit cards."
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Corrects previous version to say Rep. Miguel Garcia made reference to "indentured servants."
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5 p.m.
A Republican-sponsored bill aimed at putting New Mexico in compliance with the federal REAL ID Act is being debated before the full House.
The GOP-led House took up the proposal Wednesday despite objections from immigrant advocates and an uncertain future in the Democratic-controlled Senate.
Under the proposal, New Mexico would begin to issue REAL ID-compliant licenses and end the practice of granting state driver's licenses to immigrants in the country illegally. Instead, the bill would allow such immigrants to obtain "driver's permit cards."
The bill has drawn angry responses from immigrant advocates and Democrats who say such cards would open up some immigrants to discrimination and possible deportation.
The Senate has yet to hold a committee meeting on its own REAL ID fix proposal.
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