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 Demand Transparency on HHS Funding in Aftermath of Family Separation Policy

    Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) sent a letter with 17 Democratic Senators to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar demanding more transparency about additional funding needed to care for and reunite the huge influx of children in the custody of Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) as a result of President Trump's shameful family separation policy. ORR is responsible for overseeing the care of unaccompanied migrant children and children who are being held in federal custody after being separated from their families at the border - and ultimately, reuniting them with their families. HHS has not been forthcoming about its funding needs and the Senators are demanding answers. Read More

  • As Trump Administration Misses Deadline To Reunite Families, Heinrich Demands Action

    July 10, 2018) - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) joined elected officials and advocacy leaders in Washington, D.C. to demand action after the Trump administration failed to meet the court ordered deadline today to reunite children under the age of five who were separated from their parents due to President Trump's cruel family separation policy. Read More

  • Health IG Launches Inquiry After Senators Demand Investigation of Health Department’s Treatment of Children Separated from Parents Under Trump Policy

    The Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced it would conduct a comprehensive review of the Office of Refugee Resettlement's (ORR) Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC) program after U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich sent a letter to the Office of Inspector General requesting they look into the issue. The request for an investigation follows weeks of uncertainty about the Health Department’s ability to appropriately care for children placed in its custody as a result of President Trump’s family separation policy, as well as the Department’s lack of clarity around plans to reunite children and parents.  Read More

  • Crowd demands humane border policy

    A slew of political leaders, activists and local community members gathered beneath the hot sun Saturday to slam President Trump's family separation policy - which has seen a wave of criticism across the nation in the past few weeks and led the President to sign an order stopping the practice for the time being. Read More

  • 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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