Gov. asks for Real ID extension

New Mexico driver's licensees will no longer be recognized as an accepted form of identification. 

After Jan. 15, New Mexicans will be unable to get on board a plane with only a state driver's license. New Mexicans will be required to use their passports for identification. The Real ID Act, signed into law in 2005, will go into affect next year and prohibits the use of a New Mexican driver's license as identification to board an aircraft. 

Gov. Susana Martinez is an opponent of the controversial state law allowing undocumented immigrants to receive a New Mexico driver's license. Governor Martinez  reached out to the Department of Homeland Security, asking for an extension to the deadline. Martinez said her office has "sent a letter that asks what will be the status of New Mexico drivers license holders if they decide to get on an airplane, will they be valid?" 

The governor hopes to extend the deadline so the state legislature will have enough time to possibly repeal the driver's license law.

Gov. asks for Real ID extension