Immigrant families and allies rally at Roundhouse
January 24, 2012
HUNDREDS OF IMMIGRANT FAMILIES AND ALLIES RALLY AT CAPITOL TO SUPPORT DRIVERS’ LICENSES LAW
Santa Fe, NM-Today at the state capitol, 500 immigrant families rallied along with community and faith organizations in support of the state law that enables immigrants without a social security number to apply for a driver’s license.
Participants included immigrant workers, students, and children from fifteen New Mexico counties, as well as representatives from a broad coalition of organizations that support licenses for immigrants including Somos Un Pueblo Unido, the New Mexico Conference of Catholic Bishops, ABQ Interfaith, the League of Women Voters, the NM Hispanic Bar Association, the NM Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and union members from Communications Workers of America 7076.
Rally goers carried signs that said “Public safety over politics” and “Create jobs, not fear,” while dozens of children stood in the backdrop wearing t-shirts that said “My mother is an immigrant. Keep our parents licensed.”
Roberto Sánchez, Board Member of Somos Un Pueblo Unido said, “The Governor’s administration is showing no compassion towards the children of immigrants who depend on their parents to get them to school safely. We live in mixed-status families, and her attack on the undocumented is an attack on all of us.”
Marcela Díaz, Executive of Somos Un Pueblo Unido said “The Legislature already tried moving this debate forward by proposing an alternative that both safeguards the public safety benefits of having all driver’s licensed and insured and that beefs up residency requirements and penalties for fraud. But the Administration has showed no sign of wanting to engage in a serious policy discussion on this issue. The Legislature shouldn’t be wasting its time on this when it has more pressing issues to deal with like the economy and jobs.”
In 2003, community and faith groups, victims’ rights advocates, and law enforcement officials came together to promote a law allowing all residents of New Mexico, regardless of immigration status, to apply for a driver’s license. Over the past eight years, about 90,000 foreign nationals have successfully applied, taken their eye, written and road exams, registered their vehicles and purchased auto insurance.
At the rally, Daniel Manzano, representing the NM Coalition Against Domestic Violence said “It is so important for victims of domestic violence to have a state issued driver’s license. It helps them become more economically independent from their abusers, obtain restraining orders, and identify themselves when interacting with law enforcement.”
Meredith Machen, Vice President of the League of Women Voters of New Mexico (LWVNM) said on Thursday “The League supports New Mexico’s immigrant driver’s license policy because it provides immigrants with proper identification and preserves public safety. We hope lawmakers focus less on the political rhetoric and consider the practical benefits of the policy.” LWVNM also hosted on Thursday “League Day” at which dozens of members met with legislators to discuss the license issue.
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