New Mexico Authorities Bust Ring Accused of Forging Documents for Illegal Immigrants

New Mexico authorities arrested nine people last week for their involvement in a forgery scheme that helped undocumented immigrants obtain state driver’s licenses.

Police say that the group forged rental agreements, bank statements, vehicle titles and insurance paperwork in order to help illegal residents get a New Mexico driver’s license. They estimate that hundreds of driver’s licenses were issued to people with the forged documents.

Nine warrants for arrest have been issued for the people involved in the fraud. Thus far, two people have been arrested.

New Mexico and Washington are the only two states that allow illegal immigrants to get the same driver’s license as a U.S. citizen. This has led to massive fraud with people coming as far away as Florida to get a driver’s license in the New Mexico.

Only people with the proper visas or citizenship are allowed to legally obtain a driver’s license in the majority of states. Being legally recognized in the states is easy when a person retains a New Mexico immigration lawyer.

Legislators have emphasized the importance of changing the law to cut down on fraud of this nature, but past laws have failed to gain traction in the House.

Illegal immigrants have a number of visa options available to them so they can have a legal presence and avoid deportation. An immigration attorney is capable of obtaining a HB-1 visa, student visa or a number of other visas that will allow a person to live legally in the U.S.

A visa is the first step in becoming a naturalized citizen. Immigrants may be tempted to come to the U.S. illegally but they put their futures at risk. A New Mexico immigration attorney can detail the legal means by which a person can enter the country that will bolster their chances of citizenship.