Bishops Back License Law (NM - Support continuing licenses for illegals)

The Albuquerque Journal ^ | August 17, 2011 | Dan Boyd and Rene Romo

[CedarDave]

Gov. Susana Martinez’s push to repeal the 2003 law that allows illegal immigrants to obtain New Mexico driver’s licenses is generating opposition from the state’s Roman Catholic hierarchy.

The state’s Catholic bishops, an active voice in many hot-button political issues in recent years, are urging Martinez and state lawmakers not to scrap the controversial law, contending it benefits public safety and the economy.

A statement released this week and signed by Archbishop Michael Sheehan, Bishop Ricardo Ramirez of Las Cruces and Bishop James S. Wall of Gallup, asserts the law leads to more drivers having auto insurance and allows immigrant workers to more easily travel to and from their jobs.

“We strongly support the positive impact that immigrants have made in our state and nation while, at the same time, we recognize the right of our country to regulate its own borders and to control international immigration,” the bishops wrote in their statement. “Those controls, however, should be influenced by a sense of justice and mercy in light of the God-given right of people to migrate when faced with grave social or economic dangers.”

Martinez, the state’s first-term Republican governor, pushed unsuccessfully for repeal of the law during this year’s legislative session and has said she will place the issue on the agenda of a special session that begins Sept. 6.

The governor says the law signed by her predecessor, Democrat Bill Richardson, is dangerous and has converted New Mexico into a magnet for individuals from around the world seeking legal status in the United States.

[CedarDave]

There have been about 83,000 licenses issued to illegals ("foreign nationals"). Last month 10,000 were randomly selected and sent letters by the DMV to determine how many currently reside in New Mexico. Nearly 30% (approx 3,000) were returned by the post office. Applying that figure to the total licenses issued, one could expect that nearly 25,000 have been issued to illegals who are no longer at the address on the license. One can only guess where they are now and what the license is being used for.

[CedarDave]

NM list PING! Click on the flag to go to the Free Republic New Mexico message page.

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[presently no screen name]

The state’s Catholic bishops, an active voice in many hot-button political issues in recent years, are urging Martinez and state lawmakers not to scrap the controversial law, contending it benefits public safety and the economy.

Catholic bishops defying God's Word where we are told to obey the laws of the land. And ILLEGALS are not and the bishops are on the side of those who mock God's Word and the laws of the land.

[rjsclassics]

one of the MANY reasons that me and my family are no longer Catholics. They need to stay the hell out of politics and governmental policy.

[oldbrowser]

This is the same logic as giving condoms to school children, because they are going to do it anyway.
How about they are issued a non-citizen license to operate a vehicle after they pass a test and show proof of insurance?
Obviously not everyone will comply, but it could start laying the groundwork for a future "bracero" type program.

[Prokopton]

contending it benefits public safety and the economy

What a crock! They don't believe this for one minute. The number of church going, and money contributing, Catholic Americans is declining and the Bishops are only attempting to shore things up with illegals.

[presently no screen name]

one of the MANY reasons..no longer Catholic

Same for me!

[HiJinx]

Ping!

[A.A. Cunningham]

Bishops have the same first amendment right to say stupid things, just like you. However, ignorant prudential statements are no excuse to commit spiritual suicide which is exactly what you did when you and yours left.

[rjsclassics]

okay, genius. So you have a direct pipeline to God? The pedaphiles running rampant in the Catholic church disquised as priests are the souls you should be concerned about and not people who choose to follow another church religion. The word that best decribes you is moroon.

[LegendHasIt]

Ditto. The Church Hierarchy is an embarrassment to thinking people, and a detriment to their flocks.

I like a lot of individual parish priests.... Their bosses, however... I do not.