Otero County declares state of emergency regarding immigration

Otero County declared a state of emergency Wednesday, calling on New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to deploy the National Guard to reopen the Customs and Border Patrol checkpoints that were closed in March. The resolution was passed unanimously with amendments. The declaration notes the need for open checkpoints to stop drugs and illegal activity at the border. “If this demand is not met by the State of New Mexico in one week’s time, the County of Otero will take action itself to provide security and safety and well-being for the people in this county,” Otero County Commission Chairman Couy Griffin said. “Otero County will also consider litigation in regards to the State of New Mexico failing to follow its constitutional duties towards the people of Otero County.” U.S. Border Patrol checkpoints in the El Paso Sector, which includes West Texas and all of New Mexico temporarily shut down in late March, as agents were pulled to help process a large influx of migrants claiming asylum at the border. The permanent highway checkpoints are part of the Border Patrol's immigration and smuggling enforcement system in the border region...MORE