Passports for New Mexico? Really?
By Antionette19
@Antionette19 (43)
United States
March 29, 2013 2:21pm CST
Here in New Mexico there has been this ongoing issue of New Mexico residents eventually having to have a passport to be able to fly out of the state. One of the main reasons being is that the state of New Mexico has in the past just issued New Mexico driver's licenses to anybody including illegal immigrants.
New Mexico has managed to postpone this matter, and I understand that since 9/11 certain security measures have to go into effect, but Really?? I myself am a United States citizen born and raised in New Mexico, the only time I ever figured on needing a passport is to travel outside the States. Not for flying to California from New Mexico.
Back in 2005 Congress enacted the Real ID act following a recommendation from the 9/11 commission, so far it has been extended since 2007.
My family and I are making plans to move to California in the near future, not for this reason. However, I still have family that will be living here in New Mexico, and even though I will be leaving this state and this won't necessarily affect me I'm still upset and frustrated with the state of New Mexico that their legal United States citizens will have to prove their citizenship just to leave the state. I also feel that by their postponing this issue it will just make matters worse.
I was just wondering everyone else's thoughts on this.
1 person likes this
4 responses
@lelin1123 (15595)
• Puerto Rico
30 Mar 13
Oh that is totally ridiulous. I live in Puerto Rico and travel to New Mexico at least once a year to see my daughters and their families. In fact I'm going again next month. I don't have a passport at this time. I think it is crazy to have this one state do this. I right now still have my license from New Mexico because I was living there for three years. I haven't changed my license in Puerto Rico yet. I can't believe that one state would think this was ok to implement.@Antionette19 (43)
• United States
31 Mar 13
They haven't done it yet, they have somehow managed to "postpone" it. However when they do start it, it is only supposed to affect air travel leaving New Mexico.
@Antionette19 (43)
• United States
31 Mar 13
I also agree with bobmnu that they will eventually get around to doing this with all states, as a matter of "National Security".
@Antionette19 (43)
• United States
31 Mar 13
I don't like it and don't agree with it, but like you said I can defiantly foresee them doing this in more states.
@maximax8 (31053)
• United Kingdom
29 Mar 13
It seems that if you want to move to California and come to visit family and or friends in New Mexico you will need to get a passport. You should then keep it in date. I know that the USA has many illegal immigrants. I know that 9/11 was a terrible event and security is more important since it happened. I live in England and always need a passport for me and my kids need theirs too. We are ever so keen on traveling overseas.
@Antionette19 (43)
• United States
30 Mar 13
So far this whole needing to have a passport thing will be just for New Mexico residents, so once I have established residency in California I won't need the passport to just visit, however those with New Mexico licenses will need the passport just to leave New Mexico.
Even though New Mexico is part of the United States most residents of this state have been used to people from other states not knowing that New Mexico is part of the union, or confusing "New Mexico" with Mexico (it's just part of life living in this state).
maximax8 do you need your passports just to travel across England? I understand overseas travel, but for something that has never been a requirement for travel from one state to another, just seems so Un-American.
Someday I would like to get a passport and travel overseas, I have always wanted to visit England.
@doroffee (4222)
• Hungary
29 Mar 13
I kind of think this is ridiculous. Why should someone show a passport to travel in their own friggin' country... I mean, you are not even gonna leave your own country. It's just too much pointless bureaucracy. It's kind of funny (in a ridiculous way) that I, as a European Union citizen can visit EU countries with only my ID card, and some people have to make a passport and do more office duties and appointments just to move around in their own country...
@Antionette19 (43)
• United States
30 Mar 13
I know it is very ridiculous, just because the state of New Mexico would just issue the licenses to anybody without any proof of citizenship, suddenly you would have illegals cross over the border from Mexico to get their licenses.
I totally agree with you as to why should someone have to show a passport to travel in their own country? Right now they are talking about just air travel outside of New Mexico, but then it will be the buses, trains and vehicle travel.
I sometimes wonder what is becoming of the USA and what the founding fathers would have to say about all of it... I know it would not be good. Sometimes makes me wish I had the money and passport to go somewhere else.
Thank You doroffee for listening to me vent and understanding.
