Immigration

Fixing our broken immigration system is an urgent priority.

As the son of an immigrant, I'm familiar with the unique promise America represents for families. I know how hard immigrants work, how much they believe in this country, and how much they're willing to give back.

New Mexico's remarkable spirit is rooted in our diversity, history, and culture, which has always been enriched by our immigrant communities and family members.  At the same time, the laws that govern our country's immigration system are antiquated and ineffective.

We need a solution that includes a visa system that meets the needs of our economy, a tough but fair path to earned citizenship for the estimated 11 million people in our country who are undocumented, and a plan that ensures security at our borders.

I’ve been a lead proponent of the DREAM Act, and I know that a commitment to reform our country’s immigration system also requires a commitment to our students. DREAMers represent what’s best about our nation: hard work, motivation, and a willingness to serve this country in uniform. DREAMers are bright, inspiring, and most of them don’t know how to be anything but an American.

New Mexicans are eager for a solution, DREAM Act students deserve a solution, and our economy requires a solution. I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure that we achieve accountable immigration reform that works for New Mexico and the country.

Latest

• Udall, Heinrich Reintroduce Legislation to Address Root Causes of Central American Migration

  Posted on 05/15/19

  WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich reintroduced the Central America Reform And Enforcement Act, a major legislative proposal to address the root causes of the Central American migrant crisis. The bill outlines the coordinated regional response needed to effectively manage the endemic violence and humanitarian crises in the Northern Triangle countries -- El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras -- that are causing many women, children, and families to flee and seek asylum in the United States. Read More

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• NM Delegation Sends Request To Reimburse Border Communities Providing Humanitarian Relief To Asylum Seekers

  Posted on 05/14/19

  May 14, 2019) - After reports that U.S. Border Patrol has in recent weeks released over 4,000 migrants applying for asylum in the United States in Las Cruces, U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) today sent a letter with U.S. Representatives Ben Ray Luján, Xochitl Torres Small, and Deb Haaland, to the leaders of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees requesting that state and local governments and local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that are providing much-needed humanitarian relief to asylum seekers in southern New Mexico are reimbursed. Read More

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• Udall, Heinrich Announce Census Director Visiting New Mexico

  Posted on 05/13/19

  May 13, 2019) - At the urging of U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), the U.S. Census Bureau Director Steven Dillingham will visit New Mexico later this month to discuss ensuring accurate counts for the upcoming 2020 Decennial Census. Read More

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• Udall, Heinrich Press CBP to Withdraw Proposal to Build 46 Miles of New Border Wall in Luna and Dona Aña Counties

  Posted on 05/09/19

  WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M) urged Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) to extend the public comment period, which ends today, for the Trump administration's proposal to build 46 miles of new border wall in southern New Mexico. In a letter to CBP and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the senators said the process is wholly inadequate for stakeholders to thoroughly review and provide comment on a project of this magnitude and believe CBP should extend the comment period by 90 days. Udall and Heinrich adamantly oppose the border wall proposal. Read More

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• Heinrich Statement On Anniversary Of Trump Administration’s Family Separation Policy

  Posted on 05/07/19

  May 7, 2019) - On the anniversary of the Trump Administration's decision to adopt a policy that ripped apart hundreds of migrant families at the U.S.-Mexico Border, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) warns that children continue to be in danger.   Read More

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• Udall, Heinrich Statement on Militia Group Illegally Operating in New Mexico

  Posted on 04/19/19

  WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) issued the following statement in response to reports of a militia group illegally detaining migrant families and asylum seekers at the border in New Mexico: Read More

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• Udall, Heinrich Push Back Against Trump Administration Plan to Construct New Border Wall South of Deming, New Mexico

  Posted on 03/27/19

  WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich released the following statement in response to U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Kevin McAleenan holding a press conference at the border in El Paso, TX: Read More

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• Heinrich Denounces President Trump’s Plan To Divert $1 Billion In Military Funding To Pay For Border Wall

  Posted on 03/26/19

  WASHINGTON (March 26, 2019) - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement in response to new information from Department of Defense on the Trump Administration's plans to raid $1 billion in military funding and spend it on 57 miles of border wall, including 46 miles in New Mexico: Read More

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• Heinrich Votes To Disapprove Trump’s Unlawful Border Wall Emergency Declaration

  Posted on 03/14/19

  March 14, 2019) - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) released the following statement after voting for a bipartisan resolution to terminate President Trump's national emergency declaration that would take funds appropriated by Congress for other projects-including military construction—to build his border wall. Read More

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• NM lawmakers talk border security solutions

  Posted on 02/15/19

  ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - All five of New Mexico's federal lawmakers met with KOB to discuss ideas for border security. Read More

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