Immigration

My father immigrated to the United States in search of a better life - like so many before and after him. Immigrants recognize the hope that America represents; the way we treat them when they arrive shows the world who we are. Unfortunately, for decades, our nation's broken immigration system has fallen short.

We are a nation of laws, and our immigration laws are badly in need of repair. New Mexicans are eager for a solution, immigrants deserve a solution, and our economy requires a solution. I am pleased that President Biden has made fixing our immigration system a priority. I look forward to working with him on comprehensive immigration legislation to provide a fair and earned pathway to U.S. citizenship for Dreamers and millions of undocumented people, prioritize smart federal infrastructure investments for our vibrant border communities, and address the root causes of mass migration from Central America's northern triangle.

As a border state, we understand the deep cultural ties we share with our neighbors to the South, and we know that immigrants make our country stronger. Delivering on a pathway to citizenship and lasting protections for immigrants is critical to America's success. Keeping in mind the Senate Parliamentarian’s ruling that a pathway to citizenship cannot be included in a reconciliation bill, I will continue to work with President Biden and senators from both sides of the aisle to create lasting protections for our neighbors, friends and family members - who make incredible sacrifices and significant contributions to our communities and our successes.

Dreamers across the country have come out of the shadows because of the promise that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) program represents, including more than 7,000 here in New Mexico. These are some of our brightest students and veterans. I am proud to have led a group of Democrats in introducing the Protect DREAMer Confidentiality Act to ensure that the information they provide the government is not used against them in enforcement.

Latest

• Heinrich, Cornyn, Luján Introduce Bipartisan Legislation To Authorize Reimbursements For Border Communities

  Posted on 02/05/21

  WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) have introduced the bipartisan Southern Border Communities Reimbursement Act of 2021, legislation to authorize funding through the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) to reimburse localities and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that provide future humanitarian care to migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. Read More

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• Heinrich Commends Biden Action On Immigration Reform, Continues Fight To Pass Legislation To Protect Dreamers

  Posted on 01/21/21

  WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) issued the following statement commending President Joe Biden's proposed U.S. Citizenship Act and day one executive actions that reverse many of former President Donald Trump’s most harmful anti-immigrant policies: Read More

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• Udall, Heinrich Secure Major Investments in New Mexico’s Economy, Environment, and Rural Communities in Final Bipartisan Spending Bill

  Posted on 12/22/20

  WASHINGTON-Yesterday, U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) joined the full Senate to pass government funding bills for Fiscal Year 2021. Udall and Heinrich secured critical investments for New Mexico and Indian Country in economic development, environmental protection and rural development. Read More

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• Heinrich, Bicameral Group Of Democratic Colleagues Demand Trump Administration Halt Deportations Of Victims Of Medical Malpractice By ICE Doctor

  Posted on 11/20/20

  WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) joined a bicameral group of lawmakers in a push to demand that the Trump administration halt any and all plans to deport the dozens of women who have come forward to report unnecessary and non-consensual medical procedures while detained at Irwin County Detention Center (ICDC) in Ocilla, Georgia. Read More

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• Udall, Heinrich Call On DHS Acting Secretary Wolf and Acting Deputy Secretary Cuccinelli To Step Down After Positions Deemed Legally Invalid

  Posted on 08/14/20

  WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich are calling on U.S. Department of Homeland Security Acting Secretary Chad Wolf and Acting Deputy Secretary Ken Cuccinelli to step down after independent watchdog finds appointments to be legally invalid. Read More

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• Heinrich Denounces Trump Administration For Exploiting Pandemic To Deport Migrant Children Seeking Asylum In U.S.

  Posted on 07/02/20

  WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) issued the following statement following reports that the Trump administration is exploiting the coronavirus pandemic to deport unaccompanied migrant children at the U.S.-Mexico Border who are seeking refuge in the U.S. The administration is ignoring laws that require the transfer of unaccompanied migrant children to the Office of Refugee and Resettlement, resulting in the deportation of thousands of migrant children. Read More

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• Udall, Heinrich Call On President Trump To Stop Threatening Dreamers’ Livelihoods, Establish Path To Citizenship

  Posted on 06/23/20

  WASHINGTON - Following the recent historic Supreme Court ruling rejecting President Donald Trump's repeal of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich sent a letter to President Trump, insisting he end his crusade against immigrants and stop deporting Dreamers. The senators also sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell calling on him to immediately take up legislation to establish a path to citizenship for Dreamers, including nearly 6,000 Dreamers in New Mexico. Read More

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• Heinrich Statement On Supreme Court Ruling On DACA

  Posted on 06/18/20

  WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) released the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled today that the Trump administration cannot move forward with its plan to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Read More

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• Heinrich Statement On Supreme Court Ruling On DACA

  Posted on 06/18/20

  WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) released the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled today that the Trump administration cannot move forward with its plan to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Read More

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• Heinrich, Senate Democrats To DHS: Halt Transfer Of ICE Detainees, Increase Agency COVID-19 Testing

  Posted on 05/29/20

  WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) led 17 Senate Democrats in a letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Acting Secretary Chad F. Wolf, demanding that immediate steps be taken to halt the transfer of individuals in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody in an effort to help mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The lawmakers are asking ICE to suspend detainee movements that include transfers into the ICE system from the federal prison system or state and local law enforcement agencies. Read More

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