Thread: Otero County declares state of emergency regarding immigration

Otero County declares state of emergency regarding immigration

Nicole Maxwell, Alamogordo Daily News Published 11:10 a.m. MT April 18, 2019 | Updated 4:11 p.m. MT April 18, 2019
Border checkpoints are found within 100 miles of the U.S. border. This is what it's like to go through one. USA TODAY






Otero County declared a state of emergency Wednesday, calling on New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to deploy the National Guard to reopen the Customs and Border Patrol checkpoints that were closed in March.
The resolution was passed unanimously with amendments.


The declaration notes the need for open checkpoints to stop drugs and illegal activity at the border.
“If this demand is not met by the State of New Mexico in one week’s time, the County of Otero will take action itself to provide security and safety and well-being for the people in this county,” Otero County Commission Chairman Couy Griffin said.


“Otero County will also consider litigation in regards to the State of New Mexico failing to follow its constitutional duties towards the people of Otero County.”


The governor's office issued a response stating that the National Guard "the National Guard does not and would not operate federal checkpoints."


"If Otero County officials are unhappy that a federal checkpoint has been un-manned, so to speak, their concerns would have the best chance of being addressed if registered with the federal agency that made the decision to shift that personnel elsewhere," Governor's Office spokesman Tripp Stelnicki said.


"At the same time, Otero County is absolutely free to reach out to the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management for whatever assistance they feel they need, which as of today had not occurred.


Stelnicki said the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and other state agencies have been extremely available in assisting communities dealing with the humanitarian issues attendant to the migrant arrivals.
Alamogordo Police Chief Brian Peete said that Alamogordo Police Department's workload has increased substantially since the checkpoints were closed.


"Right now we're in the initial points of gathering and collecting data, but we do know that there's a significant presence coming in through this area. That's corroborated by our own intelligence, our investigations and from partners in federal and other state agencies."


APD is a member of the White Mountain Task Force, a part of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program.
"My personal concern with Border Patrol being inundated is the amount of drugs that's going to flow through the town because there are no checkpoints," Peete said.
Buy PhotoThe Otero County Commission from left: Commissioner Lori Bies, Commission Chairman Couy Griffin and Commission Vice-Chairman Gerald Matherly unanimously voted to declare a state of emergency in Otero County regarding immigration. (Photo: Nicole Maxwell/Alamogordo Daily News)

Closed Border Patrol Checkpoints

U.S. Border Patrol checkpoints in the El Paso Sector, which includes West Texas and all of New Mexico temporarily shut down in late March, as agents were pulled to help process a large influx of migrants claiming asylum at the border.
The permanent highway checkpoints are part of the Border Patrol's immigration and smuggling enforcement system in the border region.


“The United States Border Patrol (USBP) continues to apprehend illegal alien families and unaccompanied children in steadily increasing numbers,” a statement released at the time read. “To process and ensure appropriate care for those in custody, resources including personnel have been diverted from other border security priorities.


"Currently, El Paso Sector has shut down immigration checkpoints and moved agents to assist with the processing of these aliens. This is intended as a temporary measure. Checkpoints are integral to USBP’s border security mission.”
Gov. Lujan Grisham pulls National Guard from border

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced in February that she withdrew the 118 remaining National Guard troops from New Mexico’s border with Mexico, denying President Donald Trump’s contention that a crisis was ongoing at the border.


The announcement followed Lujan Grisham’s predecessor former-Gov. Susana Martinez’s deployment of 200 National Guard troops to the border in April 2018, and Lujan Grisham also announced the deployment of six New Mexico State Police officers to Hidalgo County – a rural county in New Mexico’s bootheel in the state’s southwest corner an on the border with Mexico.


"I reject the federal contention that there exists an overwhelming national security crisis at the southern border, along which are some of the safest communities in the country," Lujan Grisham said hours before Trump's scheduled State of the Union.


"However, I recognize and appreciate the legitimate concerns of residents and officials in southwestern New Mexico, particularly Hidalgo County, who have asked for our assistance, as migrants and asylum-seekers continue to appear at their doorstep."


https://www.alamogordonews.com/story...am/3508037002/

2/5/19

N.M. governor withdraws most National Guard troops from border

BUS THEM ALL BACK HOME AND STOP THIS INVASION YOU FOOLS!

SEND THEIR UAC'S RIGHT BACK!

WE DO NOT WANT THEM AND DO NOT WANT THEM IN OUR SCHOOLS!!!