SANTA FE, N.M.—A judge is allowing Republican Gov. Susana Martinez’s administration to move ahead with a limited investigation to determine whether some immigrants with a New Mexico driver’s license still live in the state.

District Judge Sarah Singleton on Tuesday decided that some residency checks can continue although she’s putting on hold the administration’s broad plan for potentially certifying the licenses of tens of thousands of foreign nationals, including those living illegally in the country.

The judge said she will issue an injunction to block the program pending the outcome of a lawsuit brought by the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund.

New Mexico is one of only three states—the others are Washington and Utah—where an illegal immigrant can get a driver’s license because no proof of citizenship is required. However, Utah’s permits cannot be used as government ID cards.

Martinez wants the Legislature to repeal a 2003 law that allows illegal immigrants to get a driver’s license. She contends the state has become a magnet for license fraud and out-of-state immigrants coming to New Mexico only to get a license and then leave.

More than 80,000 licenses have been issued so far to foreign nationals although the state is uncertain how many went to illegal immigrants because it doesn’t ask applicants about their immigration status.

To help detect possible license fraud, the state mailed notices this

summer to a random sample of 10,000 foreign nationals saying they must schedule appointments and submit documents proving they still live in New Mexico. The administration had planned to expand the certification program to more foreign nationals if it determined there were widespread problems.

Under the judge’s decision, the state can’t expand the license certification program and send out more notices requiring immigrant license holders to make

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