East New Mexico News

New Mexico Democrats pushed through a late-night bill that allows any person to obtain an occupational license regardless of their citizenship or immigration status, leaving some politicians around the state concerned.

“A person who is not lawfully present in the United States is eligible for occupational or professional licensure or certification for which that person is qualified, unless otherwise provided by law,” the proposed bill states.

Sponsored by Democrats Gerald Ortiz y Pino, Daniel A. Ivey-Soto, Javier Martínez and Andrea Romero, legislators framed SB 137 as a bill to help DACA beneficiaries but the legislation does not have limitation on who may benefit from the late-night bill.

According to state Republicans, SB 137 was sent to only one committee for review by the Speaker before it was debated by the body with few days left to wrap up the 30-day session.

“I am very concerned that in their rush to please their special interest groups, Democrats in this body are forgetting about the people in this state who are currently licensed and unemployed,” said Rep. Bill Rehm, a Republican, in opposition to the bill. “SB 137 allows illegal immigrants to receive a professional state license. Federal law requires employers to check applicant’s legal status. This license gives an employer the appearance that the applicant is a legal U.S. resident.”

Proponents of the bill, however, seek to better the lives of the state’s abundance of immigrants, local Albuquerque educator and activist Ingrid Ordonez told the Los Alamos Daily Post. 

“It’s important to recognize that this fight has been led by those directly affected. SB 137 has the power to transform the lives of so many immigrant educators and young professionals like myself, who only seek to give back to the communities we call home," Ordonez said. "It has been an honor and a privilege to have the opportunity to expose immigrant students to the legislative process through this important and historic bill.”

Senate Bill 137 passed the House and will now move forward to the governor’s desk.