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, Blumenthal To Travel To Border To Hold Trump Administration Accountable For Inhumane Family Separation Policy

    On Friday, June 22, 2018, U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) will travel to the Southwest border to hold the Trump Administration accountable for their inhumane policy of separating children from their parents. The senators will visit the site of the temporary shelter facility for migrant children in Tornillo, Texas and will visit border patrol stations where families and children are housed temporarily before transferring to the care of Health and Human Services' Office of Refugee Resettlement. The senators will also travel to a port of entry in El Paso, Texas to receive an overview of the process and procedures for asylum seekers.  Read More

  • FRIDAY: Keep Families Together Unity Event

    I want to invite you to a Keep Families Together Unity Event I will be hosting alongside Senator Tom Udall on Friday, June 22, at 6 p.m. MT, at Alma D'Arte Charter in Las Cruces. … 

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  • Heinrich Announces United Against Family Separation Event In Albuquerque

    ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - On Saturday, June 23, at 3 p.m. MT, at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) will host a United Against Family Separation Event to stand with New Mexicans in opposition to the Trump Administration separating children from their parents at the U.S-Mexico border. Senator Heinrich will be demanding a reunification plan for every child and holding the Trump Administration accountable for any future plans to incarcerate children. Additional speakers will be announced. Everyone is welcome to attend.    Read More

  • Udall, Heinrich To Travel To Border To Hold Trump Administration Accountable For Inhumane Family Separation Policy

    On Friday, June 22, 2018, U.S Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) will travel to the Southwest border to hold the Trump Administration accountable for their inhumane policy of separating children from their parents at the border. The senators will visit the site of the temporary tent city for migrant children in Tornillo, Texas and will travel to the port of entry in El Paso, Texas. Read More

  • This is not who we are

    I hope you can take a moment to read and share a column I wrote in NMPolitics.net about the Trump Administration's immoral policy of intentionally separating immigrant families. … 

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  • The real picture of our borderlands

    The heated rhetoric about our border region coming from President Trump is wildly out of touch with the realities of our experiences in New Mexico. This week, I'm proud to help bring the "Continental Divide: Wildlife, People, and the Border Wall" photography exhibit to Congress so we can show a real picture of the vibrant life in our nation's borderlands in the Southwest. The exhibit demonstrates why a border wall would be so harmful--both with its impact on the environment and its impact on the families that call this region home. … 

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  • Udall, Heinrich Introduce Legislation to Protect Chaco Canyon Area

    Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M) introduced the Chaco Cultural Heritage Area Protection Act, a bill to withdraw the lands around Chaco Canyon from further development by the federal government. The bill would ensure the protection of Chaco ruins and the greater landscape surrounding the Chaco Culture National Historical Park by preventing any future leasing or development of minerals owned by the U.S. government that are located within a protected radius around Chaco. Read More

  • TOMORROW: Udall, Heinrich, Tribal Leaders Hold Press Conference Call to Announce Legislation to Protect Chaco Canyon Area

    Tomorrow, May 22, at 10 a.m. MT / noon ET, U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich, and President of Navajo Nation Russell Begaye and All Pueblo Council of Governors Chairman and Former Governor of Isleta Pueblo Edward Paul Torres will hold a press conference call to announce the introduction of the Chaco Cultural Heritage Area Protection Act, a bill to prevent any future leasing around Chaco Canyon by the federal government. Read More

  • Heinrich Honors Legacy Of César Chávez

    U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Democratic Hispanic Task Force, cosponsored a resolution to honor the work and legacy of civil rights leader César E. Chávez.  Read More