'A crisis of denial'? New Mexico border counties, cities declare emergency

House Republicans ask for troops to return

In February Gov. Lujan Grisham ordered National Guard troops deployed at the New Mexico's border with Mexico to withdraw.

In March, the U.S. Border Patrol closed checkpoints after personnel were pulled to help process hundreds of asylum seekers.

Now New Mexico House Republicans are asking Lujan Grisham to redeploy National Guard troops to the border amid what State Rep. James Townsend calls "a crisis of denial in Santa Fe."

Amid the standoff and following April reports of the White House considering releasing migrants to "sanctuary cities" in the U.S., three New Mexico counties recently pledged to "not to spend tax dollars on migrants.”

Counties with "no spending" resolutions

• Sierra County
• Lincoln County
• Otero County

The counties passed resolutions, which do not hold the weight of law, as shelters in El Paso said they have reached housing capacity for asylum seekers.

New Mexico has 33 counties, three - Hidalgo, Luna and Dona Ana - that border Mexico.

Border counties and cities declare emergency

• Otero County 

• City of Deming

United States Border Patrol Agents have dropped off migrants in Las Cruces and Deming.

Southwestern New Mexico State Fairgrounds in Deming is being used to house around 100 migrants and being aided by over 100 volunteers.

Filling the gap in funding

The City of Albuquerque pledged $250,000 May 6 to help asylum seekers, per a report from KUNM Radio.

The city of Las Cruces approved a combined $625,000 to help with food, shelter and other services for migrants.

The Deming City Council agreed to allocate $1 million to provide shelter. 

In a series of Tweets, Gov. Lujan Grisham praised communities and non-profit groups assisting asylum seekers.

May 21, Lujan Grisham announced New Mexico would offer grants to reimburse local government agencies providing aid to the asylum seekers.

State lawmakers set aside $2.5 million for border security.

Lujan Grisham spent two days in Washington, D.C. meeting with acting Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan. Financial and planning support for border communities was on the agenda.

Governor, GOP lawmakers spar over border

New Mexico House Minority Leader Jim Townsend (R-54), in a letter to Lujan Grisham, asked for her administration to take action in aiding the struggling southern counties.

The Republican also called for the creation of a crisis team to coordinate activities.

"These activities could benefit from a central lead entity that can identify resources, coordinate activities and act as a clearinghouse for communications," the Representatives wrote in a letter to Lujan Grisham.

Mike Smith can be reached at 575-628-5546 or at MSmith@currentargus.com or @ArgusMichae on Twitter.