SANTA FE – New Mexico has been given an extension until October to meet tougher federal identification requirements for driver’s licenses after the state Legislature approved new rules for immigrant driver’s licenses.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security notified New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez of the extension Friday in a letter.
The department last year denied New Mexico an extension from requirements under the federal REAL ID Act. After that, federal facilities including White Sands Missile Range and Sandia National Laboratories stopped accepting the state’s driver’s licenses for visitors to gain entry.
The letter from Homeland Security says federal agencies “may accept” New Mexico-issued driver’s licenses for the duration of the extension.
Sandia National Laboratories learned of the extension letter Friday and was working with its oversight agency, the Department of Energy, to decide when it would again recognize New Mexico driver’s licenses, said laboratories spokeswoman Heather Clark.
Martinez plans to sign legislation by March 9 that stops the practice of providing state driver’s licenses to immigrants regardless of legal status.
Immigrants in the country illegally will be able to get newly created driver’s authorization cards by submitting fingerprints. Immigrants that already have licenses can skip the requirement.
Martinez says the identification overhaul ensures most New Mexico residents will be able to board domestic flights without carrying a passport.
