From The Hotline Latest Edition for Friday, April 18,2008

NEW MEXICO

No Sanctuary From Immigration

Fri. Apr. 18, 2008


"An otherwise obscure vote in Congress this week prompted Rep. Steve Pearce (R-02) to question Rep. Heather Wilson's (R-01) work ethic, triggered tough talk" from Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez (D) "and cast renewed focus" on NM's "sanctuary cities." Chavez: "This is from the mayor of Albuquerque -- Steve Pearce can stuff it. He helped create this (overall U.S. immigration) mess through his inaction, and now he wants to politicize it."

"But Pearce's challenge appeared to make Wilson uncomfortable: She missed the vote on the immigration issue this week, and a spokesman refused to say how she would have voted." One of the votes "aimed to penalize states, counties and cities -- including Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Rio Arriba County -- that don't report illegal immigrants to federal authorities. That vote failed" 4/15 "when the House deadlocked on a rare 210-210 tie. Pearce pounced after Wilson didn't show up to vote." He "fired off a letter" to NM rancher Kelly Peterson complaining that Wilson was campaigning instead of working in DC. Pearce: "It's tragic that the people's will lost by one vote, since Heather Wilson put her political ambitions above her responsibility as a congresswoman."

"Wilson's office confirmed that she spent the week" in NM and visited Los Alamos labs and ranchers in southern NM. "She has a fundraiser and meetings today in Albuquerque with Sun Healthcare and Kirtland Partnership Committee officials." Wilson spokesperson Enrique Carlos Knell: "She has a full schedule and is talking to people about things that are important to New Mexico." Knell "declined to comment on whether Wilson would have voted for or against the so-called 'sanctuary city' measure."

Rep. Tom Udall (D-03) spokesperson Marissa Padilla "said he voted against punishing so-called sanctuary cities partly because it would have sqaushed the Democrats' underlying tax bill." Padilla: "Tom Udall stands in firm support of comprehensive immigration reform, however, this particular motion was nothing more than a political maneuver that would have killed the important underlying legislation that saves taxpayers money" (Coleman, Albuquerque Journal, 4/18).

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