Dona Ana County Commissioners Pass Resolution Against Ariz. Immigration Law

In a 4 to 1 vote, the Dona Ana County Board of Commissioners passed a Resolution to Senate Bill 1070.

While all commissioners say they endorse federal immigration reform, it is the wording in the document one commissioner said is inaccurate and she does not agree with.

“I’m bleeding over this one,? Karen Perez, Dona Ana County Commissioner, said. ?But I will not support a resolution that compromises my integrity, that asks for me to look for issues that are outside my jurisdiction – as strongly as I feel I cannot support this.”

The resolution emphasizes a New Mexico driver?s license is not an acceptable form of identification under Arizona?s new law.

Worried what this could mean for Dona Ana County residents traveling into the neighboring state, commissioners say New Mexicans are at risk for detainment if they lack additional documentation to prove citizenship.

Perez said she?s against the resolution because this statement is false and propagates fear.

ABC-7 contacted the Phoenix Police Department and spoke with an officer who said Perez is right – the resolution is worded incorrectly.

The Phoenix officer clarified that any valid driver?s license, even from the state of New Mexico, is an accepted form of ID if a motorist is stopped and questioned in Arizona.

The Board of Commissioners chairman said the resolution is not a boycott against the state, but highlights the need for federal, state, and local government cooperation.

“This particular resolution is trying to encourage our congressional delegation to take the politics out of immigration regardless of it’s an election year for them,? Oscar Vasquez-Butler, Dona Ana County Commissioner Chairman, said. ?They have to stand up for this country, standup for our citizens, standup for what is right.”

See complete reaction from Perez and Vasquez-Butler in the video attached to this story.