ABQ mayoral candidates speak on immigrant-friendly policies

The race for Albuquerque mayor is ramping up, and now all candidates are giving their thoughts on the federal government naming Albuquerque as a sanctuary jurisdiction that should abandon its immigration policies. Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller, who is running for reelection, says this is far from necessary.”I think we’ve shown now for eight years what is the best policy for Albuquerque,” Keller said. “And I believe it’s played out, contrary to what the president says.”The mayor recently signed an executive order doubling down on immigrant-friendly policies in Albuquerque that protect immigrant rights and refugee communities. Alex Uballez said these policies should be kept, but argues there is more that can be done at the city level.”We are in the world now where we have to actually go so much further than relying on the words, the letters and the rules to actually protect this community,” Uballez said. Mayling Armijo released a statement, saying, “The federal government’s pressure on Albuquerque is a direct result of years of failed leadership under Mayor Keller.”Daniel Chavez issued this statement saying, “The sweeping raids we have seen across the country are alarming for Hispanic families who are just trying to live their lives. I respect the laws of the land, but we as a city have the right to enforce our own policies.”But Candidates like Darren White believe agencies like ICE should have the authority to do their jobs and argue that their current policies have contributed to Albuquerque’s problems with crime and homelessness.”Let them do their job and have them put a hold, a detainer, on the illegal immigrant so once they serve their sentences, they’re deported,” White said. Other mayoral candidates believe this could impact the city financially.Louie Sanchez said, “We’re looking at funding that we’re going to be losing for affordable housing, public transportation, Albuquerque International Airport and millions of dollars in grants.”Eddie Varela agrees that these policies need to change before it’s too late. “There’s billions and billions of dollars of grant money in our city, and those are going to be in jeopardy because of what Keller did,” Varela said, referring to the executive order signed by Keller.United States Attorney General Pam Bondi said the Department of Justice will continue bringing litigation against sanctuary jurisdictions and will work closely with the Department of Homeland Security to eradicate these policies around the country.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —

The race for Albuquerque mayor is ramping up, and now all candidates are giving their thoughts on the federal government naming Albuquerque as a sanctuary jurisdiction that should abandon its immigration policies.

Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller, who is running for reelection, says this is far from necessary.

“I think we’ve shown now for eight years what is the best policy for Albuquerque,” Keller said. “And I believe it’s played out, contrary to what the president says.”

The mayor recently signed an executive order doubling down on immigrant-friendly policies in Albuquerque that protect immigrant rights and refugee communities.

Alex Uballez said these policies should be kept, but argues there is more that can be done at the city level.

“We are in the world now where we have to actually go so much further than relying on the words, the letters and the rules to actually protect this community,” Uballez said.

Mayling Armijo released a statement, saying, “The federal government’s pressure on Albuquerque is a direct result of years of failed leadership under Mayor Keller.”

Daniel Chavez issued this statement saying, “The sweeping raids we have seen across the country are alarming for Hispanic families who are just trying to live their lives. I respect the laws of the land, but we as a city have the right to enforce our own policies.”

But Candidates like Darren White believe agencies like ICE should have the authority to do their jobs and argue that their current policies have contributed to Albuquerque’s problems with crime and homelessness.

“Let them do their job and have them put a hold, a detainer, on the illegal immigrant so once they serve their sentences, they’re deported,” White said.

Other mayoral candidates believe this could impact the city financially.

Louie Sanchez said, “We’re looking at funding that we’re going to be losing for affordable housing, public transportation, Albuquerque International Airport and millions of dollars in grants.”

Eddie Varela agrees that these policies need to change before it’s too late.

“There’s billions and billions of dollars of grant money in our city, and those are going to be in jeopardy because of what Keller did,” Varela said, referring to the executive order signed by Keller.

United States Attorney General Pam Bondi said the Department of Justice will continue bringing litigation against sanctuary jurisdictions and will work closely with the Department of Homeland Security to eradicate these policies around the country.