New Mexico politicians respond to Trump’s declaration

Rep. Deb Haaland, D-N.M.

“I will fight against President Trump’s senseless emergency declaration and for a comprehensive approach to fix our broken immigration system that recognizes the humanity and dignity of the people seeking a better life in our country.”

Rep. Xochitl Torres Small, D-N.M.

“I am deeply alarmed that the president is willing to put our national security at risk by taking money from projects intended to improve the infrastructure and readiness of our nation’s military. With the immediate pressure of a shutdown gone, I urge the president to rethink this declaration and return to the negotiating table so that we can work together on crafting effective and efficient border security solutions, including a clear and moral immigration system.”

NM Attorney General Hector Balderas

“As Attorney General of a border state, I am appalled that the executive branch would manufacture an ‘emergency’ related to border wall funds, and I will continue to aggressively enforce and defend the rule of law, as I have previously by defending DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) recipients and combatting Trump’s efforts to separate children from their families.”

Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M.

“The president’s national emergency declaration is a politically motivated abuse of his office. That is why I am leading legislation to block this unjustified and likely unlawful stunt, to assert Congress’ role as a co-equal branch of government, and to prevent the president from raiding critical funds — funds we have set aside for disaster recovery and military base construction – for the wasteful border wall he wants to build along the entire southern border.”

Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M.

“Let’s be clear, there is no national emergency on our southern border. President Trump’s attempt to save face with the extreme right-wing voices of his party is a wild abuse of power.”

NM GOP Chairman Steve Pearce

“The president has a constitutional responsibility to secure the border ... The president tried to resolve the issue through the legislative channels but the bill he signed today did little to protect the border or the border counties. I represented the New Mexico border for 14 years and know well the challenges that our border counties face. Without the president’s actions today, the pressure on local citizens and communities and counties on the border will continue to increase.”