FBI arrests illegal immigrants in N.M. driver's license case

| The Associated Press

5/1/2008 - 5/1/08

ALBUQUERQUE — The FBI has arrested 10 illegal immigrants as part of an investigation into an alleged smuggling operation that involved the use of fake documents to obtain New Mexico driver's licenses.

FBI Special Agent in Charge Thomas McClenaghan announced Thursday that the arrests were made late Wednesday by the Albuquerque FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office of Investigations.

The case began two weeks ago when a Motor Vehicle Division employee reported that two people appeared to be using fraudulent information to get a driver's license. Those two turned out to be illegal immigrants and were arrested by customs agents.

Investigators learned that several illegal immigrants living in New Mexico were charging thousands of dollars to help other illegal immigrants travel to the state to get licenses, said FBI spokesman Darrin Jones.

The FBI said the illegal immigrants being brought to the state were of "special interest" because their home countries are associated with special national security concerns. The FBI would not identify the countries.

Agents have served multiple search warrants in connection with the case and have seized computers, electronic media and a collection of fraudulent documents.

The FBI said it is still trying to determine the scope of the smuggling ring, but agents believe that dozens of special interest illegal immigrants have been able to get New Mexico driver's licenses over the last several months.

New Mexico, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Oregon, Utah and Washington do not require drivers to prove legal status to obtain a license.

In 2003, Gov. Bill Richardson signed a measure into law that allowed foreign nationals — including those living illegally in the country — to obtain a driver's license. His office has said that one of the deciding factors in signing the bill was public safety.

Applicants for a New Mexico driver's license who don't have a Social Security number can present identification such as a tax identification number, a foreign passport or a Matricula Consular issued by the Mexican government.