44TH LEGISLATURE - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - FIRST SESSION, 1999

REQUESTING THE IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION SERVICE AND THE FEDERAL COURTS TO SHOW COMPASSION IN THE CASE OF MANUELA ARREOLA.

WHEREAS, Manuela Arreola's pursuit of the American dream led her to Santa Fe, New Mexico, where she successfully found employment in a diligent effort to provide as well as she could for her seven children; and

WHEREAS, Manuela Arreola, a Mexican national who is unfamiliar with financial and other assistance available to mothers who face the dual and daunting challenge of caring for their children while also trying to earn a living; and

WHEREAS, economic reality forces countless mothers across the United States to seek jobs outside the home and to leave their children in the care of older siblings; and

WHEREAS, Manuela Arreola was arrested after police discovered that her children were alone during the day while she was at work; and

WHEREAS, but for the grace of God, many hard-working, caring and loving parents could find themselves temporarily in a similar situation as Manuela Arreola; and

WHEREAS, there is no evidence that Manuela Arreola physically or mentally abused her children, who are reported to be in good health; and

WHEREAS, it is possible that Manuela Arreola faces deportation despite the fact that all of her children were born in the United States; and

WHEREAS, a decision to deport Manuela Arreola could singularly and unalterably change the fates of her children, who, until their mother's arrest, had the benefit of growing up under a role model who demonstrated the value of hard work and self-sacrifice; and

WHEREAS, efforts to assist Manuela Arreola to remain in the United States, keep her job and remain united with her children could affect her and her children's lives for the better;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the immigration and naturalization service and the federal courts be urged to look with compassion and logic upon the case of Manuela Arreola and that each work at finding a way to keep Manuela Arreola and her children together in this country as hard as Ms. Arreola worked to find and keep a job while at the same time caring for her children; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be delivered to the immigration and naturalization service, the chief judge of the United States district court in New Mexico, United States senators Pete V. Domenici and Jeff Bingaman, and United States representatives Joe Skeen, Heather Wilson and Tom Udall.