To: The New Mexico State House, The New Mexico State Senate, and Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham
New Mexico Drivers Licenses for US Citizens only
To all newly elected and returning members of the New Mexico Legislature, Republicans and Democrats, and to Governor Susana Martinez:
1) As legal citizens of the United States and residents of New Mexico, we call upon you to take up the issue of New Mexico Driver's Licenses during the 2013 Legislative Session beginning January 15, 2013, and to correct the current policies that allow non-citizens to obtain our state drivers licenses—rendering them useless as identification for domestic travel within the United States beginning Jan 15, 2013. We demand new legislation and/or repealing existing laws which keep our IDs from conforming to the Real ID Act (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/REAL_ID_Act) passed by US Congress and signed into law in 2005.
2) Additionally the citizens seek reparations in the form of an Income Tax Credit/Rebate in the amount of $200 for all persons who are required to obtain US Passports in the interim period before legislation is enacted, and new drivers licenses become available that adhere to the national standards set forth by the Real ID Act and the Dept. of Homeland Security.
3) Finally, we demand that the cost to renew/replace our now defunct NM Drivers Licenses with new 4-year licenses that conform to the Real ID Act be limited to $9 or half of the set-fee set forth by the NM Department of Motor Vehicles—whichever is less.
1) As legal citizens of the United States and residents of New Mexico, we call upon you to take up the issue of New Mexico Driver's Licenses during the 2013 Legislative Session beginning January 15, 2013, and to correct the current policies that allow non-citizens to obtain our state drivers licenses—rendering them useless as identification for domestic travel within the United States beginning Jan 15, 2013. We demand new legislation and/or repealing existing laws which keep our IDs from conforming to the Real ID Act (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/REAL_ID_Act) passed by US Congress and signed into law in 2005.
2) Additionally the citizens seek reparations in the form of an Income Tax Credit/Rebate in the amount of $200 for all persons who are required to obtain US Passports in the interim period before legislation is enacted, and new drivers licenses become available that adhere to the national standards set forth by the Real ID Act and the Dept. of Homeland Security.
3) Finally, we demand that the cost to renew/replace our now defunct NM Drivers Licenses with new 4-year licenses that conform to the Real ID Act be limited to $9 or half of the set-fee set forth by the NM Department of Motor Vehicles—whichever is less.
Why is this important?
* NOTE: As of Dec 2012, Dept of Homeland Security and Transportation (TSA) officials announced that the policy requiring REAL ID standardized identification would be delayed past the January 15, 2013 deadline.
NM is only one of 2 states still issuing drivers licenses to illegal (undocumented) aliens. The Real ID Act became law in 2005. The Dept of Homeland of Security has extended the deadline for NM many times already. As of Jan 15, 2013* NMDL's will not be valid as US identification, and domestic travelers will be required to carry US Passports. If the New Mexico State Legislature does not create/repeal legislation during the next legislative session beginning Jan 15, 2013 then you can expect to pay $200/adult for a US Passport to travel within your own country. This insanity must end in Santa Fe in January. Learn more at http://zpr.co/nmdl/realid/
NM is only one of 2 states still issuing drivers licenses to illegal (undocumented) aliens. The Real ID Act became law in 2005. The Dept of Homeland of Security has extended the deadline for NM many times already. As of Jan 15, 2013* NMDL's will not be valid as US identification, and domestic travelers will be required to carry US Passports. If the New Mexico State Legislature does not create/repeal legislation during the next legislative session beginning Jan 15, 2013 then you can expect to pay $200/adult for a US Passport to travel within your own country. This insanity must end in Santa Fe in January. Learn more at http://zpr.co/nmdl/realid/