Las Cruces, NM — Today, a bipartisan delegation of New Mexico lawmakers attended a tour of the Otero County Processing Center. This detention facility contracts with the U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain approximately 1,027 illegal immigrants awaiting deportation. This facility is one of three facilities in our state that also contract with ICE. Today's tour was an attempt to gain information ahead of a potential special legislative session in which Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has indicated legislation aimed towards the banning of these facilities in our state. The Otero County Processing Center employs approximately 300 full time staff.
Following the tour, Senators Crystal Brantley (R-Elephant Butte) and Nick Paul (R- Alamogordo) have issued the following statements:
"Today's tour was eye-opening. My biggest takeaway is this: this facility provides good jobs in Otero County and ensures detainees are treated humanely—far better than any alternative I've seen. ICE will do their job no matter what. Our choice is simple: a clean, safe, and accountable facility here, or one where we have no say in how detained migrants are treated. Thank you to I.C.E, Otero County, and the detention facility for the transparency and providing us this valuable insight before we take up these issues in the Roundhouse." -Senator Crystal Brantley
"Today's tour proved what we believed all along: this misguided legislation being considered by the Governor will only cost hundreds of New Mexicans their jobs. I witnessed firsthand humane conditions and an efficient process that treats people with respect and dignity. Instead of focusing on political antics, the Governor and her democratic allies in the legislature ought to focus on the real issues New Mexicans face everyday." -Senator Nick Paul
