56th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2023

URGING NEW MEXICANS TO CONSIDER PRIVATE HUMANITARIAN SPONSORSHIP OF IMMIGRANTS.

WHEREAS, immigration is the foundation of America; and

WHEREAS, with the important exception of those descended from Native peoples and enslaved Africans, few people in this country cannot trace at least part of their ancestry to an immigrant, either directly or centuries ago; and

WHEREAS, New Mexico has a unique history and perspective of the benefits of immigration and assimilation; and

WHEREAS, according to American immigration council statistics, nearly one in ten New Mexico residents is an immigrant, while one in nine residents is a native-born United States citizen with at least one immigrant parent; and

WHEREAS, immigrant workers comprised twelve percent of New Mexico's labor force in 2018 and have contributed hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes; and

WHEREAS, as consumers, immigrants add billions of dollars to New Mexico's economy; and

WHEREAS, there are opportunities for United States citizens to support the humanitarian goal of assisting with immigration; and

WHEREAS, the United States citizenship and immigration services of the United States department of homeland security provides processes through which nationals of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela, and their immediate family members, may request to come into the United States in a safe and orderly way; and

WHEREAS, through private humanitarian sponsorship, United States citizens have the opportunity to support nationals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela by agreeing to provide the nationals with financial support during the duration of their time in the United States; and

WHEREAS, the nationals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela have the potential of adding financial and cultural resources to local communities; and

WHEREAS, Central American countries have similarities and cultural ties to New Mexico; and

WHEREAS, immigrants bring valuable skills to New Mexico, with the opportunity of gainful employment; and

WHEREAS, a better immigration policy is essential; and

WHEREAS, private humanitarian sponsorship programs could help reduce illegal border crossings by providing a legal means of entry;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that New Mexicans be urged to consider private humanitarian sponsorship of immigrants; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the governor and New Mexico legislators.