HOUSE MEMORIAL 24

56th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2024

INTRODUCED BY

John Block and Jenifer Jones and Stefani Lord

and Luis M. Terrazas and Andrea Reeb

 

 

 

 

A MEMORIAL

URGING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO ALLOCATE FUNDS AND ATTENTION TO ENSURE PUBLIC SAFETY AT THE NEW MEXICO-MEXICO BORDER.

 

     WHEREAS, hundreds of thousands of migrants are illegally crossing the southern border every day, posing a significant threat to the safety of the people of New Mexico; and 

     WHEREAS, while the majority of migrants that are entering the United States illegally are seeking a better life, there is an undeniable link between the increased illegal entry at the southern border and increased crime; and

     WHEREAS, the United States customs and border protection agency reported over two million four hundred seventy-five thousand encounters at the southern border in fiscal year 2023; and

     WHEREAS, in December 2023, the United States customs and border protection agency reported the highest number of migrants entering the United States illegally in the agency's history, with customs and border patrol agents taking more than two hundred twenty-five thousand migrants into custody; and

     WHEREAS, the United States immigration and customs enforcement annual report for fiscal year 2023 states that the arrests of migrants who entered the United States illegally and who possessed criminal records hit a new high, as more than fifteen thousand noncitizens with criminal convictions were caught at the border; and

     WHEREAS, the United States customs and border protection agency reported that, in fiscal year 2023, the pre-existing criminal convictions of noncitizens who entered or who tried to enter the United States included assault, battery, domestic violence, burglary, robbery, larceny, theft, fraud, driving under the influence, homicide, manslaughter, illegal drug possession, illegal drug trafficking, illegal entry and re-entry, illegal weapons possession, transport of illegal weapons, trafficking of illegal weapons and sexual offenses; and

     WHEREAS, to protect the communities of New Mexico from crime, urgent and decisive action at the southern border is imperative;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the United States congress be urged to allocate funds and increased attention to ensure public safety at the New Mexico-Mexico border; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that robust measures be implemented, including border strengthening and increased border enforcement; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the New Mexico congressional delegation and members of the United States congress.

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