08/21/2007

News / New Mexico MVD audit finds 63 dubious licenses

The state has come under fire from some quarters for making it relatively easy for foreign nationals to get a New Mexico driver's license.

But an audit of about 30,000 New Mexico driver's licenses issued to foreign nationals since 2003 has found fewer than 65 that raised questions.

The state Motor Vehicle Division has canceled 21 driver's licenses after it was unable to match the license holders' personal information with that in government databases, MVD Director Ken Ortiz said.

Another 42 licenses are suspect, but more information is needed before the state revokes the documents, Ortiz said.

The division has turned information related to the licenses over to the Department of Public Safety, but has no evidence of false documents being used, Ortiz said.

Since 2003, New Mexico has allowed immigrants to get state driver's licenses using a Mexican government-issued ID or a taxpayer identification number.

To date, the state has issued about 30,000 licenses to foreign nationals, all of which were audited recently by the Taxation and Revenue Department's Internal Audit Bureau.

Gov. Bill Richardson ordered the audit in March after some state lawmakers tried to pass a law requiring foreign nationals who wanted a New Mexico license to submit fingerprints.

Ortiz said he's pleased with the small number of licenses that turned up problems.

"We feel very confident with our numbers; we think it's very successful," he said. "We're doing everything we can to verify people are who they say they are."

For the 21 licenses canceled by the MVD, Ortiz said, employees couldn't match information such as last names or addresses given by license holders to information in government databases.

The division sent letters to the license holders asking for additional information. A second letter told the recipient their license would be canceled if they didn't respond.

If the letters weren't returned as undeliverable, the division canceled the licenses, Ortiz said.

"We feel confident they did receive the letter," he said.

MVD is in the process of sending a second letter to 42 other license holders. Questions about those licenses include names or addresses that don't match government records, Ortiz said.

As part of its ongoing efforts to improve driver's license security, MVD now requires copies of the documents immigrants present when applying for a license. Division officials are working with the Mexican government to verify documents the state accepts, which include a matricula consular card. Immigrants without a Social Security number may use an individual taxpayer identification number to get a license.

In addition, the division now has real-time access to Mexican government databases, so documents such as the matricula can be verified before a license is issued.

Earlier this year, the state changed its requirement for license seekers to two forms of ID instead of one. That rule takes effect Oct. 1.

The state Republican Party sued the Motor Vehicle Division last year, seeking access to a list of immigrants who have received state licenses. Party officials have said the licenses could be used to fraudulently vote.

State GOP Executive Director Adam Feldman on Aug. 20 said the party is seeking access to the audit as part of its lawsuit.

The party has also criticized Richardson, a Democrat, for signing the 2003 license law.

"New Mexico offers a tremendous number of incentives to illegal immigrants to take haven in our neighborhoods and communities, and one of the these incentives is a driver's license," Feldman said.

Immigrant-rights advocates have said allowing immigrants to get licenses makes sure they know the rules of the road and has increased the rate of insured drivers in the state.

By Kate Nash (Contact)
http://www.abqtrib.com/news/2007/aug/21/new-mexico-mvd-audit-finds-63-dubious-licenses/

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