Is it true you can't board the plane with NM driver's license

[Arcos]

It makes sense. It's super easy to get a government ID in many foreign countries (i.e. not a forgery, but not your actual name, etc). If that's the basis upon which an undocumented alien gets a US driver's license, then there's no guarantee that the US license accurately identifies the person.

[Arcos]

And the US government offers a form of ID that's good enough to go to Mexico and Canada that's not a passport... rather, it's a passport CARD. I think it's just $20. I have one and it's pretty handy.

[Poncho_NM]

Originally Posted by Arcos

And the US government offers a form of ID that's good enough to go to Mexico and Canada that's not a passport... rather, it's a passport CARD. I think it's just $20. I have one and it's pretty handy.

The U.S. Passport Card; First-Time Applicant Cost: $55; Previous Passport Holder Cost: $30

But why should an American Citizen pay $55 for an ID to allow them to just board an aircraft in the U.S. if it isn't leaving the U.S.? If New Mexico was a compliant state, they could just use their drivers license like the majority of American Citizen's... What if that person wishes to fly to Europe, which is not unheard of, that "U.S. Passport Card" will not work.

[karmathecat]

Just to clarify, people who are not US Citizens CAN get US driver's licenses. It's just that in almost every other state, they need to show some proof of residency...valid Resident Alien ( "Green" ) Card, H1 or other visa, etc.

For example, I am moving to MA. I've been checking various things I will need to do upon arrival. One is to obtain a MA license.

I need 2 or 3 forms of ID ( some items work on more than one list, like my passport ), one each from 3 separate lists of acceptable forms of ID. The first is something that proves I live there ( utility bill, lease or mortgage docs, cancelled check, etc. ) The second is something that proves my date of birth ( US or non-US passport, certified birth certificate, out of state driver's license, etc. ) and the third is something that shows my signature ( passport, cancelled check, SS card, etc )

There is a 4th list which details a bunch of INS stuff, all of which I assume is used to identify HOW the foreign born person ( based on other docs from the first 3 lists ) is in the US...naturalized citizen, visa, perm resident, etc.

How they determine who must furnish the additional documents, I am not sure.

I'm all for immigration reform, allowing more immigration, etc. but I am also for being compliant with a government issued ID actually being meaningful.

[karmathecat]

Oh, and NM got yet another reprieve.

New Mexico gets deferment on Real ID Act

[Mwah]

To answer your question, no, it is not true. NM Drivers License is good for air travel.

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