JUST IN FROM KOB TV: The U.S. Department of Defense says it will no longer accept New Mexico driver’s licenses at its installations nationwide:Details from KOB TV Here
From the New Mexico Republican House:
In Case You Missed it
New Mexico driver’s licenses not accepted at Department of Defense bases
Santa Fe, NM – New Mexico residents will now have to show an alternative form of identification in order to gain access to military bases and installations because Democrats continue to demand that illegal immigrants receive New Mexico driver’s licenses. The U.S. Department of Defense announced today that it will no longer accept driver’s licenses from five states—including New Mexico –as proof of identity.
Reps. Paul Pacheco and Andy Nuñez are sponsoring HB 99, compromise legislation that would stop the dangerous practice of giving driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants and instead issue illegal immigrants driving privilege cards. The proposal would also bring New Mexico into compliance with the REAL ID Act. House Republicans have repeatedly tried to repeal the law that allows illegal immigrants to obtain a state driver’s license, but the legislation remains blocked by Senate Democrats.
Licenses From 5 States Banned at DoD Bases
By: Jim Garamone
DoD News, Defense Media Activity
January 20, 2016
https://www.defense.gov/News-Article-View/Article/643615/licenses-from-5-states-banned-at-dod-bases
WASHINGTON, January 20, 2016 — Defense Department installations will no longer accept driver’s licenses from Minnesota, Illinois, Missouri, New Mexico and Washington as proof of identity, DoD officials said.
Federal Policy
The ban, which also includes licenses from American Samoa, is a consequence of the REAL ID Act of 2005.
The REAL ID Act grew out of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks — most of the terrorists involved had driver’s licenses from Florida and Virginia. Congress tightened up issuance processes and documentation needed to get a driver’s license. Compliant cards must have specific security features to prevent tampering, counterfeiting or duplication of the document. The licenses also must present data in a common, machine-readable format.
The REAL ID Act affects only access control policies where individuals are required to present an identification document for accessing federal facilities, entering nuclear power plants or boarding federally regulated commercial aircraft. The federal REAL ID Act implementation rules allow for exceptions, officials noted. For example, they explained, life or safety issues such as medical emergencies, and situations in which physical access is necessary to apply for benefits are two exceptions.
Those attempting to gain physical access to DoD installations must show an alternate form of identification, such as a passport, officials said. Service members, family members, DoD employees, and federal employees with the DoD common access card, DoD uniformed services identification and privileges cards, federal personal identification verification cards or transportation workers’ identification credentials are not affected, officials said, as these cards are authorized in DoD policy to facilitate physical access to installations.
“All federal agencies including DoD must comply with the law regarding the use of REAL IDs for official purposes,” an official said. “For most DoD installations, an identification card or an installation pass is required to facilitate access. Hence, where an ID or an installation pass is used for physical access, DoD installations are prohibited from accepting driver’s licenses or state identification cards from states deemed non-REAL ID compliant.
“DoD policy allows commanders to waive the DoD access control requirements for special situations, circumstances, or emergencies,” the official said. “Therefore, installations may authorize other alternatives to facilitate installation access, such as a graduation ceremony guest list, escorts, etc.”
