N.M. Gov.’s Undocumented Grandparents Raise Questions on Immigration Issues

COMMENTARY | New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez is the first Latina governor in our nation and the first female governor of New Mexico. She was born and raised in El Paso, Texas, and is a Republican. Her tough stance on immigration reform was one of the platforms that she ran on when she was elected in November 2010. Martinez has fought to stop illegal immigrants from getting driver’s licenses, and to revoke the licenses of those who have them. She is also battling to deny children of illegal immigrants the right to higher education.

Many conservatives are on Martinez’s side of the equation when it comes to immigration reform. The difference is Martinez would not be here had her paternal grandparents not illegally come into our country; she would most certainly not be where she is today.

Martinez refused to answer questions about her grandparents until this week, when she finally admitted they arrived to the United States undocumented. Her excuse is that it is irrelevant because they came at a time when immigration laws were different, but the fact is, they were not. The only difference is that it was not as much of an issue at the time and the laws were not enforced.

Many other Americans have this same type of history in their backgrounds, including other politicians. Former Sen. Pete Domenici’s, R-N.M., mother was an undocumented immigrant from Italy.

Martinez obviously cannot control who her ancestors were or what they did, but this fact raises issues related to immigration reform. America was built by immigrants; that is what our country is all about. At the same time, I understand the problem that some of the immigrants bring to our country, including drugs and violence. But what about all of those who could make a positive contribution to our society?

By denying driver’s licenses and especially higher education to children of illegal immigrants, how does this make the problem any better? It is likely illegal immigrants will continue to drive, but will do so illegally. It will make it harder for them to become legal residents and productive citizens. Denying their children an education will only serve to keep their children in the same situation their parents were.

Did you know that residents who are here illegally spent $320 million on auto insurance premiums? What happens when their driver’s licenses are revoked? They will no longer be able to obtain insurance, making matters much worse if an accident occurs.

The immigration problem is not black and white, and with Martinez’s background, she should certainly know better. Though perhaps we might be better off if her laws were in place when her grandparents came to America in hopes of a better life. She would not be the governor of New Mexico today.


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