(The Center Square) – New Mexico’s 2nd District congressional candidates each have different priorities when it comes to tackling the state’s immigration issues.
Incumbent Democratic Rep. Gabriel Vázquez has argued that foreigners living in the U.S. illegally should have a path to citizenship.
“Gabe has lived on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border and knows firsthand the challenges and opportunities of our current immigration system,” Vázquez's campaign website states. “He has seen firsthand the immeasurable benefits that migrant workers and their families bring to our communities and economy. But our immigration system is broken, and we need leaders in Congress who will put politics aside and actually solve the problems — they don't just play political games. We must reform our immigration system to protect Dreamers, provide a permanent path to citizenship for hardworking families, and ensure a safe and secure border.”
Vázquez's campaign did not respond to a request for comment.
Dreamers are people enrolled in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which allows some children of undocumented immigrants to postpone deportation from the US and also gives recipients work authorization.
Herrell's campaign website focuses on investing in border security and law enforcement.
“Washington is leaving Americans to fend for themselves on our southern border, and we've had enough of their false promises and indifference. There is a real human and national security crisis happening right now, and we need leaders who understand that.”
“Protect our borders and support our Border Patrol
“Invest in law enforcement, don't cut funding.
“Hold criminals accountable and uphold the law.”
Herrell's campaign did not respond to a request for comment.
Herrell has previously supported the use of public health removals to deport undocumented immigrants, as well as former President Donald Trump's “Remain in Mexico” policy. Title 42 was a public health measure that allowed the US to return migrants to Mexico or their countries of origin if they crossed the border seeking asylum. The practice under Title 42 ended when President Joe Biden ended the national COVID-19 emergency.
“Remain in Mexico” was a requirement that asylum-seeking migrants wait in Mexico while their asylum applications were being processed, a change from the previous practice of allowing asylum seekers to wait in the U.S. for their asylum court date.
Vázquez has introduced a series of bills to address border security and conditions inside migrant detention centers, including the Smart Border Protection Act, which would increase funding for clients and border patrol agents and the technology they use to screen people at the border.
He is also the sponsor of the Workforce Empowerment Act, which would allow immigrants without “permanent residency” who work in “critical industries, such as health care, education, energy production, and emergency response,” to apply for two years of temporary status to remain and work in the United States legally.
Neither bill made it out of committee.
During his time in Congress, Rep. Herrell introduced an anti-caravan bill in April 2022. The bill would have imposed criminal penalties on anyone who helps groups of 25 or more people cross the U.S. border. This was in response to the migrant caravans of up to 15,000 people heading to the U.S. border from South America.
