By KRWG News
New Mexico – Republican Gov. Susana Martinez is directing state police to ask about the immigration status of people arrested for crimes.
Martinez issued an executive order on Monday that rescinds a policy implemented in 2005 by then Gov. Bill Richardson, a Democrat.
Richardson's executive order prohibited state law enforcement from asking about a person's immigration status solely for the purpose of determining whether the individual was in violation of federal immigration laws.
Martinez said law enforcement working for state agencies will continue to be barred from asking about the immigration status of a person who is a crime victim, a witness to a crime or seeking police assistance.
During last year's gubernatorial campaign, Martinez criticized Richardson for having a "sanctuary" policy on illegal immigration.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.