State of New Mexico secondary Archives: on Immigration
Ben Ray Lujan:
Comprehensive immigration reform must be fair and just
Our immigration policies must be crafted with compassion, commonsense, and a sense of reality. I have long-championed comprehensive immigration reform and have used my position as the highest-ranking
Hispanic in Congress to give voice to the urgent need to address our broken immigration laws. Our immigration system must be fair and just, encourage legal immigration, and welcoming toward those of all backgrounds, religions, and races.
Source: 2020 New Mexico Senate campaign website BenRayLujan .com
Jul 8, 2020
Ben Ray Lujan:
Pathway to citizenship for DREAMers
I was proud to support the American Dream and Promise Act to provide security and a pathway to citizenship for DREAMers--the young individuals who are American in every way but on paper. We should advance policies that welcome DREAMers,
TPS [Temporary Protected Status] recipients, migrants, and refugees because we know that our country is made better because of its diversity.
Source: 2020 New Mexico Senate campaign website BenRayLujan .com
Jul 8, 2020
Bill Richardson:
Driver’s license for illegals helps public safety
Q: As governor, you signed a law making New Mexico one of only eight states in the country that allows illegal immigrants to get driver’s licenses.A: Four years ago, the legislature sent a bill to me and, at the request of my law enforcement leaders,
I signed it, which allows licenses for undocumented workers. The reason I did this is because there’s a failure of an immigration law in the Congress and the president. It’s a matter for us in New Mexico of public safety on the roads. At the time that I
signed the bill, 33% of drivers were uninsured. Today it’s 11% uninsured. This law has helped.
Q: Is there any security provision in the law, anything, that prevents illegals from using these driver’s licenses that you give them to get on airplanes,
like many of the 9/11 terrorists did?
A: There are valid certificates of identification that they have to provide to the motor vehicles department of New Mexico. I believe it’s the right decision for my people. What we need is comprehensive immigration
Source: Fox News Sunday on 2003 New Mexico Voting Record HB 173
Nov 11, 2007
Bob Walsh:
Pathway to citizenship; there are no illegal aliens
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Pathway to citizenship for illegal aliens"?
A: Strongly support, but object to the expression "illegal aliens."
Source: OnTheIssues interview for 2020 New Mexico race
May 1, 2020
Bob Graham:
Earned Amnesty for undocumented workers
Q: In your state, [Florida,] there are many immigrants. The Cuban-American immigrants who have a completely different situation. But for those that come from other countries, would you support legalizing them? GRAHAM: I believe that we should have a
policy of earned amnesty for those people who came into the US undocumented. If they, after receiving a work permit, met the standards of that permit, after a period of time they would be eligible to get a permanent residence status in the US.
Source: Democratic Primary Debate, Albuquerque New Mexico
Sep 4, 2003
Carol Moseley-Braun:
Amnesty & driver’s licenses for undocumented workers
Q: What about giving undocumented immigrants access to driver’s licenses? BRAUN: I would agree with legalization. Those who live here ought to be able to get driver’s license, ought to be able to participate as citizens participate. We need to be
normalize our relations with documented, as well as undocumented people who are here in the US. It doesn’t matter if you came to this country on the Mayflower or a slave ship, across the Rio Grande or through Ellis Island, we are all in the same boat now
Source: Democratic Primary Debate, Albuquerque New Mexico
Sep 4, 2003
Dennis Kucinich:
Extend our arms to world-immigrant amnesty and more
Q: Is it realistic to think that, in the environment after 9/11, that we could legalize undocumented immigrants in this country? KUCINICH: One of the tragedies of 9/11 is that we’ve forgotten who we are as a nation.
In the fear that’s covered this country, we’ve forgotten about the optimism and hope that led so many people to sail under that light of Lady Liberty. Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.
America must remember where we came from as a nation. And in doing that, we need to extend our arms once again to the world community and bring those, the tempest-tossed, to the US.
Yes, I’m for amnesty. Yes, I’m for legalization of status.
Yes, I’m for broadening citizenship possibilities. Yes, I’m for enforcing the Fair Labor Standards Act and making sure that those workers who come from Mexico have all of the protections of federal law and including universal health care.
Source: Democratic Primary Debate, Albuquerque New Mexico
Sep 4, 2003
Dick Gephardt:
Legalize all immigrants who’ve been productive for 5 years
Q: You introduced legislation for legalizing undocumented workers. Now, there are many voters in the US who feel that legalizing undocumented workers would be giving them some type of an award for having broken the law.
Do you fear that your proposal would alienate those voters? And if so, are you willing to take that risk? GEPHARDT: I put the bill in. I wrote the bill with my friends in the Hispanic Caucus in the House. I am proud of that bill.
I stand behind it fully. It’s the right thing to do for this country. We’re all immigrants unless we’re Native Americans, and we need to recognize the hard work and productivity and the loyalty and the military service of people that
are in this country and are not in legal status.
My bill is simple. It says, you’ve been here for five years, you worked for two years, you haven’t broken laws, you can get into legal status. It’ll bring power and productivity out of these people.
Source: Democratic Primary Debate, Albuquerque New Mexico
Sep 4, 2003
Dick Gephardt:
Bush tax plan is a failure-return to Clinton tax plan
The right thing to do is to get rid of the Bush tax cuts because my plan will put more money in the pockets of the average family than the Bush tax cuts.
Why would we not want to go back to the Clinton tax plan? Why would we want to keep anything of the Bush tax plan? It’s a miserable failure.
Source: Democratic Primary Debate, Albuquerque New Mexico
Sep 4, 2003
Gavin Clarkson:
I support not just the wall, but a high-tech wall
Q: Do you believe the borders are secure enough? If not, what do you propose should be done to increase their security? Do you support Trump's proposal to build a $25 billion wall?A: I support not just the wall, but a high-tech wall, which will
promote economic development in southern New Mexico. The wall needs high-tech monitoring equipment like motion detectors, infrared, and ground penetrating radar, all of which will need to be monitored at command stations linked by high-speed
optic fiber lines.
Q: What's your position on skills-based immigration vs. family-based?
A: I would end chain-migration and the visa lottery. Merit-based work permits give folks everything they
might want economically, except for the one thing that Democrats really seem to care about, which is naturalizing new voters.
Source: Ballotpedia.org Connection: 2020 New Mexico Senate race
Nov 1, 2018
Gavin Clarkson:
Oppose amnesty and path to citizenship, with exceptions
Q: Please give your position on DACA.A: I do not support a path to citizenship, except for those who choose to honorably serve in the military. President Trump offered residency for all 1.8 million who qualify, not just the roughly
800,000 who applied, but Democrats are refusing to surrender the issue as a political wedge.
Q: Do you favor amnesty, a path to citizenship or worker permits for most or all of the people now living illegally in the U.S.?
Who do you think should be deported?
A: Deportation should be for those here illegally who have committed additional crimes. I oppose amnesty. I believe in the rule of law and fairness for legal immigrants who followed the rules.
I am willing to consider a path to residency for those who will not burden our social welfare systems.
Source: Ballotpedia.org Connection: 2020 New Mexico Senate race
Nov 1, 2018
Gavin Clarkson:
End birthright citizenship; oppose amnesty
My wife waited 14 years to become a citizen. Our immigration system is fundamentally broken. We must end birthright citizenship, visa lottery and chain migration. I oppose amnesty.
Once the border is secure, I might consider a path to residency and possibly a path to citizenship for military veterans brought here illegally as children.
Our border is not secure. I support not just the wall, but a high-tech wall with monitoring equipment including motion detectors, infrared, and ground penetrating radar, all of which
will need to be connected by high-speed optic fiber lines to command stations. Such infrastructure would also contribute to economic development.
Source: Albuquerque Journal on 2020 New Mexico Senate race
Jun 14, 2020
Howard Dean:
The Americas are more important than War on Terror
I think for 9/11 to have affected our immigration policy with Latin America is ridiculous. The last time I looked, not one of those 19 hijackers was Latino. The problem with this administration is they can only think about one problem at a time.
They are bogged down in Iraq, they are not defending us from Osama bin Laden, and they are not paying any attention to Latin America, which is the most important hemisphere in American history.
Source: Democratic Primary Debate, Albuquerque New Mexico
Sep 4, 2003
Jeff Apodaca:
We're not deporting DACA kids or any other kids
Asked about immigration policy and the border wall being pursued by the Trump administration, Lujan Grisham cited her recent advocacy in Washington, both fighting against funding of the wall and advocating for Dreamers--young immigrants
who entered the country illegally as children and gained temporary protection from deportation under an Obama administration policy known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA.
Both Cervantes and Apodaca spoke of the possibility of trade with New Mexico's southern neighbor, Cervantes calling the border with Mexico one of the state's greatest assets.
"There's no way we're going to deport or get rid of DACA kids or any other kids," Apodaca said.
Source: Santa Fe New Mexican on 2018 New Mexico governor debate
Jan 23, 2018
Joe Cervantes:
Yes in-state tuition for illegals; but no to driver licenses
Q: Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration laws by state and local police?A: No.
Q: Do you support requiring proof of United States residency in order to obtain a New Mexico driver's license?
A:
Yes; proof of residency or other criteria established by legislature.
Q: Should illegal immigrants who graduate from New Mexico high schools be eligible for in-state tuition at public universities?
A: Yes.
Source: New Mexico 2012 Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2012
John Edwards:
Hard working immigrants earn right to citizenship
Q: There are communities in North Carolina that probably never imagined in 100 years that they'd have to hire an English-as-a-second-language teacher or have bilingual classes. EDWARDS: Let me say a word about my personal experience with this issue.
I grew up in a family where my father worked in a mill all of his life. And when I was young, we moved to a small town in rural North Carolina, which is where I grew up. That town is now half Hispanic.
My family moved to that town because my father, who has a high school education and is still living, believed that by working hard and doing the right thing that his kids would have the opportunity for a better life.
These Hispanic families? They came to Robbins, North Carolina, for exactly the same reason. And those who came and live there, who work hard and are responsible, they have earned the right to be American citizens.
Source: Democratic Primary Debate, Albuquerque New Mexico
Sep 4, 2003
Maggie Toulouse Oliver:
Border policy should treat people like humans
The secretary of state said she would campaign on the creation of a national health insurance plan, colloquially known as "Medicare for all."
Toulouse Oliver also said she would support what she described as policy on the border that "treats people like humans."
Source: Santa Fe New Mexican on 2020 New Mexico Senate race
Apr 24, 2019
John Kerry:
Amnesty to anyone here over 5 or 6 years
Q: Would you support legalizing undocumented immigrants in this country? KERRY: Absolutely. I supported and was prepared to vote for amnesty from 1986. And it is essential to have immigration reform.
Anyone who has been in this country for five or six years, who's paid their taxes, who has stayed out of trouble, ought to be able to translate into an American citizenship immediately, not waiting.
Source: Democratic Primary Debate, Albuquerque New Mexico
Sep 4, 2003
John Sanchez:
Combat employment of illegals, after caught doing so
During his 2002 governor campaign and his 2010 lieutenant governor campaign, his opponents hit him for employing 10 illegal immigrants at his roofing company.
Sanchez is quick to point out the Immigration and Customs Enforcement has also given him special recognition for his work to combat the employment of illegal immigrants.
Source: Washington Post on 2014 New Mexico Senate race
Mar 24, 2011
Joseph Lieberman:
Unacceptable to allow Mexicans to die trying to immigrate
Q: How do you separate the good guys from the bad guys? How do you separate the immigrants that come to this country with a legitimate interest in working and contributing and those potential terrorists that are here?
LIEBERMAN: Let me begin by saying this. Immigration for me is not just another issue. It's me, it's my family, it's mi familia. My grandparents came here as immigrants seeking opportunity.
It pains me, and it outrages me that every year hundreds of
Mexicans coming to America for exactly the same reason that my grandparents did die in the desert because of our current immigration policy. That is no longer acceptable.
This can't go on any longer.
I have offered the most comprehensive, aggressive immigration reform plan. Yes, earned legalization. Yes, temporary worker visas for workers from other countries. Yes, let's lift the cap on people coming here for family reunification or to seek refuge.
Source: Democratic Primary Debate, Albuquerque New Mexico
Sep 4, 2003
Joseph Lieberman:
Bush uses 9/11 as an excuse to avoid immigration reform
George Bush has used 9/11 as an excuse for not doing what he promised to do in reforming immigration laws. He has let down our neighbors in Mexico and so much of the rest of the world. Let's put some due process in our immigration laws, so John Ashcroft
can't again do what he did after 9/11, which is to arrest almost 800 undocumented immigrants, put them in jail without charges, without counsel, without notice to their families. That's not America at its best. And as president, I'll stop it.
Source: Democratic Primary Debate, Albuquerque New Mexico
Sep 4, 2003
Mark Ronchetti:
Against amnesty, close the asylum loophole
We must secure our southern border through a wide variety of methods from barriers, to drones, to additional border staff. We must close the asylum-loophole that is creating a crisis at the border by encouraging migrants to come to the
United States and claim asylum when they do not qualify. Mark supports legal immigration but opposes amnesty. Those seeking citizenship should do so the right way, and those who break the law shouldn't be allowed to "jump the line."
Source: 2020 New Mexico Senate campaign website MarkRonchetti.com
Aug 30, 2020
Mark Ronchetti:
Eliminate sanctuary city laws around the country
Mark supports measures to eliminate sanctuary city laws around the country
that allow illegal immigrants who commit crimes to be released back into our communities, rather than being deported.
Source: 2020 New Mexico Senate campaign website MarkRonchetti.com
Aug 30, 2020
Mark Ronchetti:
Amnesty incentivizes even more illegal immigration
I oppose amnesty because it incentivizes even more illegal immigration. Decriminalizing border crossing and dangling free health care encourages well-meaning families to put their families at risk by illegally entering the country. Allow them to apply
in their home country and when legally approved move to the U.S. Our borders are not secure enough and we need a barrier, more staffing or increased air patrol for a more secure border. Sanctuary cities in New Mexico exacerbate our crime problems.
Source: Albuquerque Journal on 2020 New Mexico Senate race
Aug 26, 2020
Mark Ronchetti:
Opposes illegal immigration and sanctuary cities
I oppose amnesty. Decriminalizing border crossing and dangling free health care encourages well-meaning families to put their families at risk by illegally entering the country. Allow them to apply in their home country and when legally approved
move to the US. Our borders are not secure. We need a barrier and more border patrol officers. Abolishing ICE is a terrible idea. New Mexico is a drug superhighway into the US, which brings crime--exacerbated by sanctuary city policies.
Source: Albuquerque Journal on 2020 New Mexico Senate race
Jan 7, 2020
Martin Heinrich:
Arizona anti-immigrant law is racial profiling
Martin Heinrich told The Independent he opposes the newly-signed Arizona law, calling it racial profiling and a breach of individual privacy rights. Heinrich also said that the law shows the need for comprehensive, federal, immigration reform to pass
Congress sooner rather than later."Arizona's misguided legislation is the wrong reaction to a very real issue. Passing laws that many of our citizens fear will institutionalize racial profiling is no solution," Rep. Martin Heinrich told
Source: New Mexico Independent on 2012 N.M. Senate debates, "Anti"
Apr 30, 2010
Martin Heinrich:
Arizona anti-immigrant law is racial profiling
The Independent in a statement. "That is why I feel it is so important for Congress to take up immigration reform this year."Beyond saying that the law is racial profiling, the Congressman also said that it was a response to the lack of movement by
Congress on immigration laws. "I am proud that here in New Mexico we value our diverse heritage, and I know that in Washington, D.C. we must rise to the challenge and fix this broken system once and for all," Heinrich told The Independent.
Source: New Mexico Independent on 2012 N.M. Senate debates, "Anti"
Apr 30, 2010
Martin Heinrich:
Tough but fair path to earned citizenship, including DACA
Q: Path to citizenship for "DACA" recipients or "Dreamers," brought here as children?Martin Heinrich (D): Yes. Original supporter of DACA, backs "tough but fair path to earned citizenship."
Gary Johnson (L): Unclear.
Wants "immigrants to obtain work visas & move back & forth across border."
Mick Rich (R): No. If want citizenship, "they must leave & apply like anyone else."
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on New Mexico Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
Michelle Lujan-Grisham:
Prohibit local law enforcement from enforcing federal law
Lujan Grisham took note of HB116 to prohibit local law-enforcement agencies from enforcing federal immigration law--contrasting it with President Trump's plans to build a border wall and cut funding to sanctuary cities. Lujan Grisham said she was "very
concerned about both the rhetoric and the actions" of Trump. The federal government, she said, has a tradition of adopting bipartisan immigration legislation--something she'd like to see continue. House Bill 116 has been referred to Committee.
Source: Albuquerque Journal on 2018 New Mexico Gubernatorial race
Jan 26, 2017
Michelle Lujan-Grisham:
Fight funding the border wall; advocate for DREAMers
Asked about immigration policy and the border wall being pursued by the Trump administration, Lujan Grisham cited her recent advocacy in Washington, both fighting against funding of the wall and advocating for Dreamers--young immigrants who entered
the country illegally as children and gained temporary protection from deportation under an Obama administration policy known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA.
Source: Santa Fe New Mexican on 2018 New Mexico governor debate
Jan 23, 2018
Michelle Lujan-Grisham:
Supports earned path to citizenship for DREAMers and others
Q: Support DREAM Act (DACA), allowing "Dreamers" who arrived illegally as children, then grew up in the US, to achieve legal status if meet certain conditions?Michelle Lujan-Grisham (D): Yes. Worked to protect their status. Supports earned
path to citizenship, for DACA recipients and illegal immigrants in general.
Steve Pearce (R): Yes. On DACA, proposed 10-year "conditional protected status" with option to renew but no path to citizenship. Supports guest worker program, without amnesty.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on New Mexico Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
Michelle Lujan-Grisham:
Withdraw troops from Mexican border: there's no emergency
Gov. Lujan Grisham has ordered the majority of National Guard troops deployed at her state's Southern border to withdraw, condemning what she called a "charade of border fear-mongering" by President Trump, who has warned of an immigration emergency in th
region. "I reject the federal contention that there exists an overwhelming national security crisis at the Southern border," Lujan Grisham said, adding that the area has "some of the safest communities in the country."Lujan Grisham ordered the
withdrawal just before Trump delivered his State of the Union address, in which he railed against illegal immigration and labeled a group of mainly Central American migrants as "illegal immigrants"--despite the fact that most of them are traveling with
legal humanitarian visas.
Lujan Grisham rejected the idea that a national emergency exists along her state's border with Mexico. But she also said some troops will remain in southwestern NM, saying they're needed to fulfill a humanitarian mission.
Source: NPR Fact-Check on 2018 New Mexico Gubernatorial race
Feb 6, 2019
Mick Rich:
Border Patrol lacks manpower for drug import corridor
Last year, I traveled to Southwest New Mexico, to hear from New Mexicans that are in the drug import corridor. I learned that the Border Patrol do not patrol the last 25 miles of our state and our country. The Border Patrol stays on county paved roads.
The Border Patrol has neither the manpower nor the desire to check when the electronic sensors on the surrounding hilltops are tripped. It did not need to be said: "If trouble comes, you are on your own. Because help is too far away."
Source: 2018 New Mexico campaign website MickRichForSenate.com
Jan 18, 2018
Mick Rich:
Wants immigration pattern stopped before considering pathway
Our country's generosity exceeds our resources to assimilate everyone who wants to immigrate here. Currently, illegal immigrants far outnumber legal immigrants--and we can't even properly vet our legal immigrants. Illegal immigrants who disobey our
laws, disrespect our country, or intend to do us harm cannot be allowed to stay. Once our current immigration pattern is reversed, we can address the status of those illegal immigrants who have become responsible members of society.
Source: 2018 New Mexico campaign website MickRichForSenate.com
Jan 18, 2018
Mick Rich:
We can only accept so many immigrants, but let's negotiate
Rich was critical of Democrat leaders who walked out of immigration talks, following Trump's now infamous supposed labeling of many African nations as "sh--thole countries." "Martin Heinrich did nothing to move forward the immigration issues," Rich said.
Immigration is an essential issue to address at the federal level, Rich said. To him, immigrants don't just come for jobs, but to become Americans. "We're looking at this and saying the only people we're holding responsible for immigration issues are
employers," Rich said. "We saw kids come here. They weren't coming for jobs, they were coming to live here. It's not just about jobs, it's about freedom."
There is a limit to how many immigrants should be allowed in the country, Rich said, and he said
he is committed to negotiating the issue. We can only accept so many immigrants without making it so that nobody can be successful," he said. "It costs substantial funds to bring a person in in immigration. No enough funds are allocated per person."
Source: Carlsbad Current-Argus on 2018 New Mexico Senate race
Jan 19, 2018
Mick Rich:
New policy on applicant merit, not family relationships
Q: What immigration policies do you support? A: Secure our borders. Non-Citizens who break our laws and don't work or go to school cannot stay. Illegal immigrants that came before 2008 can obtain legal status, but they must exit the country and
re-enter the country legally. DREAMers will receive legal status and can apply for citizenship with the legal immigrants seeking citizenship. A new legal immigration policy on applicant merit, not family relationships.
Source: League of Women Voters Q&A on 2018 New Mexico Senate race
Sep 9, 2018
Mick Rich:
Illegals must leave & apply for citizenship like anyone
Q: Path to citizenship for "DACA" recipients or "Dreamers," brought here as children?Martin Heinrich (D): Yes. Original supporter of DACA, backs "tough but fair path to earned citizenship."
Gary Johnson (L): Unclear.
Wants "immigrants to obtain work visas & move back & forth across border."
Mick Rich (R): No. If want citizenship, "they must leave & apply like anyone else."
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on New Mexico Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
Steve Pearce:
Need secure border, but human solutions
The violence, drug and weapons smuggling, and human trafficking that plagues our border must be put to a stop. I am working to advocate human solutions that reflect the sensitivity of border security issues.
This is a complex issue, and all related groups must be engaged in the process of developing a strong policy for border security. It is time that the federal government gives New Mexico the resources and solutions we need for a strong, secure border.
Source: 2018 New Mexico Gubernatorial website pearce.house.gov
Aug 22, 2017
Steve Pearce:
Supports earned path to citizenship over a 10-year period
Q: Support DREAM Act (DACA), allowing "Dreamers" who arrived illegally as children, then grew up in the US, to achieve legal status if meet certain conditions?Michelle Lujan-Grisham (D): Yes. Worked to protect their status. Supports earned
path to citizenship, for DACA recipients and illegal immigrants in general.
Steve Pearce (R): Yes. On DACA, proposed 10-year "conditional protected status" with option to renew but no path to citizenship. Supports guest worker program, without amnesty.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on New Mexico Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
Susana Martinez:
Stop giving drivers licenses to illegal immigrants
And, the Legislature should finally listen to the people of New Mexico: Let's end the dangerous practice of giving driver's licenses to illegal immigrants from all over the world.
New Mexico has been a target for human traffickers and smugglers seeking to take advantage of our laws. And now, the federal government has confirmed its plan to stop accepting New Mexico driver's licenses to board airplanes.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to New Mexico legislature
Jan 19, 2016
Susana Martinez:
Deploy National Guard troops on Mexican border
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has ordered the majority of National Guard troops deployed at her state's Southern border to withdraw, condemning what she called a "charade of border fear-mongering" by President Trump, who has warned of an
immigration emergency in the region. "I reject the federal contention that there exists an overwhelming national security crisis at the Southern border," Lujan Grisham said, adding that the area has "some of the safest communities in the country."
The governor's order covers most of New Mexico's deployed troops, along with Guard members who have traveled from AR, KS, KY, NH, SC, and WI. In all, 118 National Guard troops have been deployed in New Mexico, the governor's office said.
New Mexico sent National Guard troops to the border last April in an order from then-Gov. Susana Martinez that followed a White House proclamation. At least five states, including two led by Republicans, rejected the president's call to send troops.
Source: NPR Fact-Check on 2018 New Mexico Gubernatorial race
Feb 6, 2019
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023