Hundreds March In Protest Of Driver’s License Checks

Saying ?no? to driver?s license verification of foreign nationals, busloads of El Pasoans and southern New Mexicans flocked to Las Cruces Tuesday afternoon.

Hundreds of protesters marched from Apodaca Park to Las Cruces City Hall for a rally against Governor Susana Martinez?s mandatory driver?s license checks.

The event was organized by the Border Network for Human Rights.

In Spanish, protesters shouted, ?Susana this is not Arizona,? comparing the driver?s license checks to alleged discriminatory aspects associated with Senate Bill 1070.

Demonstrators say they want to stop Martinez from banning driver?s licenses for illegal immigrants, arguing, it is unconstitutional to make foreign nationals prove residency.

Martinez emphasizes, it is against the law to obtain a New Mexico driver?s license if the cardholder is not a permanent resident in the state.

Further, protesters say cancelling driver?s licenses of those who do not meet the requirements that they are in fact who their license says there are and also, that they are a permanent resident, will lead to more uninsured, unlicensed drivers.

The issue will be discussed at next month?s special legislative session slated for September 6th.