NM lawmakers divided on solution for DACA

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — New Mexico lawmakers are divided on how to protect thousands of undocumented immigrants brought to the United States illegally as children.

President Trump announced the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA program would end in March. 

The program allows DACA recipients to work and attend school, and it also protects them from deportation. 

Tuesday a federal judge stopped the president’s order to end the program, but it’s only a temporary solution. 

Senator Martin Heinrich addressed the Senate floor Wednesday calling for permanent protection for DACA recipients. 

“Until we pass the DREAM Act, these young members face deep uncertainty about whether they will be able to stay in school, keep working, and contributing to our economy, and remain in the nation that they call home,” said Heinrich. 

Heinrich said ending DACA would also be a costly move. 

“It would cost our economy nearly half a trillion dollars in GDP loss over the next decade,” said Heinrich. 

Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham admitted she “crashed” a White House meeting about DACA Tuesday. She said she was not invited, but attended anyway to speak up for DACA recipients in New Mexico. 

“To not have us at the table and not have us represented doesn't make any sense,” said Lujan Grisham. 

However, Rep. Steve Pearce’s DACA bill, introduced in December, would not provide a path to citizenship for DACA recipients.