Republicans in the New Mexico House are renewing their efforts to repeal a state law that allows issuance of driver’s licenses to immigrants who are in the country illegally – and this time the GOP has a majority.

The draft legislation filed Tuesday by Reps. Paul Pacheco of Albuquerque and Andy Nuñez of Hatch closely matches proposals that failed in 2013 and 2014 and is similar in principle to efforts in the two previous years. Republicans won control of the House in the November general election, and Republican Gov. Susana Martinez, just re-elected, has pushed for repeal of the law since first taking office in 2011.

The bill will come up for debate when the Legislature convenes on Jan. 20. The legislation would also attempt to bring New Mexico into compliance with the federal REAL ID Act.

Supporters of the repeal say the state’s practice of issuing licenses to unauthorized immigrants prevents New Mexico from complying with the federal law.

The REAL ID Act, enacted in 2005, attempted to standardize state identification cards after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, but enforcement of the law that would limit the ability to fly commercial airlines or enter federal buildings without a REAL ID-compliant identification card has repeatedly been delayed at the federal level. New Mexico is one of 26 states or territories granted an extension of the REAL ID Act enforcement. But airplane-boarding restrictions could start in 2015.

Read more here: http://www.abqjournal.com/513648/news/lawmakers-gear-up-for-drivers-license-repeal.html