NM Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham - WikipediaBy Frost McGahey
On Grant County Information, several people complained having to pay $34 to get a Real ID in order to board a plane. New Mexico's standard Driver's licenses aren't good enough because they don't require documentation proving U.S. citizenship. An illegal immigrant can obtain a valid New Mexico driver's license.
For an illegal immigrant to get the standard driver's license, all that is needed is proof of identity and age and New Mexico residency (e.g., utility bills, rental agreement). No proof of U.S. citizenship is required. But since May 2025, the TSA requires a Real ID. That can be obtained from the NM DMV, but proof of citizenship is required.
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
In October 2025 ,New Mexico had to recently tighten the rules for CDLs. Illegal immigrants are no longer eligible for NM commercial driver's licenses. This is to comply with a new federal requirement issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. This is in reaction to several incidents of illegal truck drivers causing fatal crashes.
Other NM Government Benefits for illegals:
Medicaid:
Illegal immigrants can receive emergency Medicaid for treatment for acute, emergency medical conditions. When one man was told of this he commented, "No wonder the ERs are crowded."
Money:
Illegals can receive $447 a month through New Mexico's TANF, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. This is administered through the New Mexico Works program. It is monthly cash assistance for low-income families with children. $447 is the maximum amount which helps towards basic needs like housing and utilities.
From New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions:
Eligibility requirements for illegals:
Continuously lived in the U.S.: means that a non-citizen has lived in the U.S. without a single absence of more than 30 days or has lived in the U.S. without a total aggregate absences of more than 90 days.
In-State Tuition and State Financial Aid
Illegals are eligible for-state tuition rates at New Mexico public colleges if they are in the state for at least 12 consecutive months, establish financial independence, and prove they intend to remain (e.g.NM driver's license, tax filing).
"State-funded financial aid (such as scholarships or state tuition assistance) must be made available on the same terms to all persons regardless of immigration status if they graduate from a New Mexico high school and meet residency rules. New Mexico's tuition equity policy allows students who attended and graduated from a NM high school to pay in-state rates." Senate Bill 582
All five of New Mexico's Congressional delegates are Democrats even though Trump won 46% of the vote in 2024. At the State of the Union address by President Trump, four of the five chose to boycott the speech. Congressman Gabe Vasquez, who represents the 2nd congressional district including Grant County, attended. During the address President Trump asked lawmakers to stand if they agreed the government's first duty is to protect American citizens over illegal aliens. Congressman Vasquez did not stand.
