SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A Democratic lawmaker says a GOP House proposal bill aimed at putting New Mexico in compliance with the federal REAL ID Act would make some immigrants "indigent servants."
Rep. Miguel Garcia said Wednesday the proposal would discrimination against immigrants living in the country illegally and transform the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Department into a deportation "pipeline."
Garcia's remarks came during a partisan debate over the bill in the full New Mexico House. The debate is expected to sparked heated rhetoric from some lawmakers.
Rep. Javier Martínez, an Albuquerque Democrat, compares the proposal on his Facebook page to slavery.
Under the proposal, New Mexico would begin to issue REAL ID-compliant licenses and end the practice of granting state driver's licenses to immigrants in the country illegally. Instead, the bill would allow such immigrants to obtain "driver's permit cards."