As more states prepare to offer driving privileges to immigrants who illegally entered the U.S., heavily Hispanic New Mexico appears headed in the other direction.
An Associated Press review of state records shows New Mexico is issuing fewer driver’s licenses to them, with the number of first-time licenses dropping 21 percent during the first half of this year.
The reason for the abrupt decline remains unclear.
Officials in Republican Gov. Susana Martinez’s administration say there’s been no recent crackdown by the Motor Vehicle Division and the requirements for immigrants to obtain a license haven’t changed, although the governor has fought unsuccessfully for three years to scrap the license policy.
An immigrant rights advocate suggests New Mexico’s weak economy may be a cause.
Topics Personal Auto
Was this article valuable?
Here are more articles you may enjoy.
How One Fla. Insurance Agent Allegedly Used Another’s License to Swipe Commissions 
Florida Engineers: Winds Under 110 mph Simply Do Not Damage Concrete Tiles 
BMW Recalls Hundreds of Thousands of Cars Over Fire Risk 
Judge Awards Applied Systems Preliminary Injunction Against Comulate 
