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A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO CREATE THE

INTERIM "BORDER SECURITY AND BORDER AFFAIRS COMMITTEE".

WHEREAS, homeland security issues have focused attention

on border crossings and the ease of entry into the United

States; and

WHEREAS, New Mexico counties and local communities that

share a border with Mexico play a critical role in supporting

federal law enforcement efforts and require financial support;

and

WHEREAS, immigrant labor plays a vital role in New

Mexico's economy, and border security efforts can have an

adverse economic effect without new immigrant employment

policies; and

WHEREAS, unregulated numbers of undocumented immigrants

may have an effect on the infrastructure and financial

resources of New Mexico; and

WHEREAS, there are significant public health issues that

impact New Mexico as a result of the state's proximity to

Mexico and the cross-border travel of New Mexico residents;

and

WHEREAS, New Mexico's border with Mexico is situated on

a vital environmental corridor for species migration routes

and in an area that is the habitat of unique animal and plant

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species that can be impacted by border security efforts; and

WHEREAS, many lives are lost during illegal entry into

New Mexico from Mexico, and border security and immigration

policies can play a role in decreasing this loss of life; and

WHEREAS, federal, state and local border security

efforts must be coordinated with traditional ranching and

agricultural activity located on the border with Mexico; and

WHEREAS, complex border issues and federal, state and

local attention to New Mexico's border security efforts with

Mexico mandate involvement by the New Mexico legislature;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE

STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico legislative council be

requested to appoint an interim "border security and border

affairs committee" to receive testimony; to study border

issues, including security, health and environmental concerns,

traditional ranching and agricultural border commerce and

human rights; and to recommend appropriate actions needed to

address relevant related issues; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this interim committee

report its findings and make its recommendations to the

legislature by January 1, 2009; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be

transmitted to the co-chairs of the New Mexico legislative

council.