A Republican-sponsored bill aimed at putting New Mexico in compliance with the federal REAL ID Act is set to go before the full House.
The GOP-led House is expected to take 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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