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, Harris Call On ICE And CBP To Release Documentation On Death Of Transgender Woman In ICE Custody

    Dec. 5, 2018) - Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Kamala D. Harris (D-Calif.) sent a letter to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Acting Director Ronald D. Vitiello and U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Kevin K. McAleenan urging the immediate public release of a death review and supporting documentation on Roxana Hernández, a 33-year old transgender woman who died at a New Mexico hospital while in ICE custody. The senators have also requested documentation of ICE and CBP training related specifically to the treatment and safety of transgender individuals in custody. Read More

  • Udall, Heinrich, O’Rourke Demand Answers from HHS on Unaccompanied Migrant Children Detained at Tornillo Facility

     U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representative Beto O'Rourke (D-Texas) urged U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar to provide information on the operations and conditions of the temporary tent facility in Tornillo, Texas housing detained unaccompanied migrant children. In a letter to Azar, the lawmakers demanded answers regarding the expansion of the Tornillo facility, and new administration policies that are seemingly prolonging detention of children and deterring sponsors from coming forward to take custody of the detained children. Read More

  • Udall, Heinrich To HHS And DHS Secretaries: Family Detention Is Morally Wrong, Harmful To Children and Parents, Inconsistent With Fundamental American Values

    U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) along with a number of Democratic Senators sent a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar and U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen imploring them to rescind the proposed regulation to allow the Trump Administration to facilitate the indefinite detention of children in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities and avoid complying with the government's legal obligations under the 1997 Flores Settlement.  Read More

  • Udall, Heinrich to DHS Secretary Nielsen: Under Your Leadership, Immigration Crisis Grows Worse By The Day

    U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen imploring her to reverse course on several anti-immigrant policies implemented by her agency, including by immediately reunifying all children separated at the border by the Trump Administration's zero-tolerance policy. In the letter, led by U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), ranking member of the Senate's Immigration Subcommittee, the lawmakers called on Secretary Nielsen to restore DACA, support the bipartisan Dream Act, re-designate and extend the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for ten countries currently meeting standards for the program, and end the Muslim travel ban.  Read More

  • With Hundreds of Children Still Separated from Families, Udall and Heinrich Propose Amendments to Hold Administration Accountable for Family Separation

    "The permanent trauma President Trump's zero-tolerance policies inflicted on parents and their innocent children, many of whom are refugees fleeing violence and seeking asylum, is inhumane," said Heinrich. “There is still no clear plan from the White House to ensure they will make sure every child is reunited with their family. This amendment is about holding the White House accountable for adhering to our laws, to American values, and for executing a clear plan to right this horrific wrong.” Read More

  • 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