State of New Mexico Archives: on Immigration


Ben Ray Lujan: Supports Comprehensive Immigration Reform

Congressman Lujan supports comprehensive immigration reform that is fair, humane, and keeps Americans safe. He believes we need to create a path to citizenship for immigrants, protect DREAMers, and maintain our leadership position on the international stage by committing to basic human rights and protections for those fleeing disasters and violence in their home country.

Congressman Lujan is a cosponsor of the DREAM Act, which would provide certainty for the 800,000 young people in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals who entered the United States as children. The Congressman also co-sponsored the American Hope Act to give those with DACA status and others who arrived in the United States as children a path to permanent legal status and eventual citizenship.

Source: 2020 N.M. Senate campaign website lujan.house.gov Aug 27, 2019

Ben Ray Lujan: Opposes the Muslim and Refugee Ban

Rep. Lujan cosponsored the Statue of Liberty Values Act 2.0, which nullifies President Trump's Muslim and refugee ban. "The President's move could hamper our nation in the fight against terrorism and will degrade our standing in the eyes of the world. We need smart and tough strategies to keep our nation safe, not reckless, dangerous, and unconstitutional policies."

Lujan adds, "This is not the national security crisis that the president continues to describe. There is a humanitarian crisis, but it's created by President Donald Trump. I think the president continues to use immigration as a distraction as opposed to trying to work together in a bipartisan basis, whether it's immigration reform or other important measures that we could be talking about."

Source: 2020 N.M. Senate campaign website lujan.house.gov Aug 27, 2019

Heather Wilson: Permanent solution instead of DREAM Act

Immigration reform was another important topic discussed during the debate. Heinrich was given the chance to ask Wilson a question and he asked whether she would vote to support the DREAM Act. "What you heard there were a lot of words and no answers," Heinrich said.

"I thought I was absolutely clear and I'm not sure what he didn't understand. I think there has to be a permanent solution that means legislation," Wilson said.

Source: KFOX-TV-14 coverage of 2012 N.M. Senate debate Oct 17, 2012

Jay Block: Opposed halt to building of border wall

Grisham invited illegal immigrants into our state before and during this migrant crisis and pandemic, leaving our ranchers and farmers vulnerable along our southern border. Grisham supports excessive Federal overreach from the Biden Administration to halt the building of a border wall while supporting walls and fences for her and her elitist friends both here at home and in Washington DC.
Source: 2021 N.M. Governor campaign website BlockForNewMexico.com Jun 10, 2021

Jay Block: Will use National Guard to protect and secure our border

As your Governor, I will listen to community and law enforcement leaders and ask what resources they need to help secure the border and provide safety for our citizens. I will use our National Guard to help protect and secure our border under the law as they have done before. The Governor's office can no longer ignore nor turn a blind eye to sex trafficking, drug cartels, human trafficking, terrorists, criminals, and other dangerous groups that come here illegally. Enough is enough.
Source: 2021 N.M. Governor campaign website BlockForNewMexico.com Jun 10, 2021

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: Step up border enforcement; but also DREAM Act

Q: Should border enforcement be a state or federal issue?

Heinrich: Federal government should step up on border enforcement and immigration reform. Says he was an original co-sponsor on the Dream Act

Balderas: It's time to get serious about security, but he won't let the immigration issue divide the country. "Immigration cannot divide us"

Source: KOAT-7 live blogging of 2012 N.M. Senate debate Jun 3, 2012

Steve Pearce: Supports path to legalization for illegal immigrants

Both candidates said that a border fence would do little to address the issue of illegal immigration but said that it's necessary to secure the border with technology and more personnel. Pearce flatly rejected the idea of legalization for anyone here illegally, while Udall said there should be a path to legalization.
Source: 2008 N.M. Senate debate report in N.M.Business-Weekly Aug 22, 2008

Susana Martinez: Stop the magnet for human trafficking, fraud and crime

I am hopeful that the Legislature will enact the recommendation of the 9/11 commission, the position of nearly every other state in America, and the opinion of a vast majority of New Mexicans that we stop being a magnet for human trafficking, fraud and crime rings. I'm asking the Legislature to finally repeal the law that gives driver's licenses to illegal immigrants.
Source: 2013 State of the State address to N.M. Legislature Jan 15, 2013

Tom Udall: Reject legalization for anyone here illegally

Both candidates said that a border fence would do little to address the issue of illegal immigration but said that it's necessary to secure the border with technology and more personnel. Pearce flatly rejected the idea of legalization for anyone here illegally, while Udall said there should be a path to legalization.
Source: [Xref Pearce] 2008 N.M. Senate Debate Aug 22, 2008

  • The above quotations are from State of New Mexico Politicians: Archives.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Immigration.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
2016 Presidential contenders on Immigration:
  Republicans:
Gov.Jeb Bush(FL)
Dr.Ben Carson(MD)
Gov.Chris Christie(NJ)
Sen.Ted Cruz(TX)
Carly Fiorina(CA)
Gov.Jim Gilmore(VA)
Sen.Lindsey Graham(SC)
Gov.Mike Huckabee(AR)
Gov.Bobby Jindal(LA)
Gov.John Kasich(OH)
Gov.Sarah Palin(AK)
Gov.George Pataki(NY)
Sen.Rand Paul(KY)
Gov.Rick Perry(TX)
Sen.Rob Portman(OH)
Sen.Marco Rubio(FL)
Sen.Rick Santorum(PA)
Donald Trump(NY)
Gov.Scott Walker(WI)
Democrats:
Gov.Lincoln Chafee(RI)
Secy.Hillary Clinton(NY)
V.P.Joe Biden(DE)
Gov.Martin O`Malley(MD)
Sen.Bernie Sanders(VT)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren(MA)
Sen.Jim Webb(VA)

2016 Third Party Candidates:
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Roseanne Barr(PF-HI)
Robert Steele(L-NY)
Dr.Jill Stein(G,MA)
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Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023