Denish announces border security legislation

"Increasing international border security is critical for the economic future of southern New Mexico' Denish says.

Lt. Gov. Diane Denish announced new border security legislation,to better combat security challenges facing New Mexico from increasing criminal activity across the border.

The legislation calls for the designation of four executive agency border liaisons to coordinate efforts with the federal government and counties along the border, ensuring the continued development and growth of cross-border commerce and trade between New Mexico and Mexico.

“The security of our international border is critical to the safety of all New Mexicans and we must work diligently to prevent violent crime from crossing over our Southern border,” Denish said. “We must ensure that the free flow of commerce and trade continues uninterrupted through our three ports of entry, with all assets of the state brought to bear in a prudent and efficient manner to support both federal and local security efforts, as well cross-border economic development and job creation."

In May 2008, we reported on a tour Denish took with the NM National Guard along the border. You can read about her inspection here.

After her tour nearly two years ago, Denish told us "the troops and border guards are doing a good job patrolling the area, but the Federal Government needs to continue funding the operation and the state needs to provide housing assistance."

If the legislation, introduced in Santa Fe today, is approved, Border Security Liaisons would be designated by the Departments of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Public Safety, Transportation and the Border Authority. Each liaison would provide an international border security perspective in their respective agency's ongoing strategic planning. New Mexico Department of Transportation's liaison would focus particularly on vital ports of entry infrastructure needs.

Rep. Cote, who agreed to carry the legislation for the lieutenant governor, said the state has to securing its border with Mexico so, "we can we continue to expand cross-border commerce through our ports of entry."

House Joint Memorial 9 would require increased coordination between these formally designated liaisons and their local and federal counterparts to better leverage state resources and support future economic development in the state's border region.

Denish photo: MG Bralley

Southwest Border Security Task Force Meets at Sandia National Labs

One day before U.S. Homeland Security Department Secretary Janet Napolitano and U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder unveil their 2009 National Southwest Border Counternarcotics Strategy, at UNM, in Albuquerque, I sat down, at breakfast (in the downtown Hyatt) with U.S. Border Czar Alan Bersin and former C.I.A. and F.B.I. Director William Webster to discuss security, immigration, drug violence and bi national trade cooperation along the border with Mexico.

On Thursday, the men are hosting a border task force meeting at Sandia National Labs. Listen to their view on the crisis at the border here.



Bersin, was appointed to his post, in the Obama administration, by Napolitano on April 15th. He also served as the first unofficial Border Czar in 1995. A former San Diego school's superintendent and federal prosecutor, Bersin advocated for tougher immigration laws and was the public face of Operation Gatekeeper during the Clinton administration from 1995 to 1998. Clinton's Attorney General Janet Reno picked Albuquerque’s John J. Kelly, also a federal prosecutor, to replace Bersin in 1998.

While she's in Albuquerque, Secretary Napolitano will also swear in new members of the Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC). Comprised of national security experts from state, local and tribal governments, first responder communities, academia and the private sector, HSAC provides advice and recommendations directly to Secretary Napolitano on homeland security issues.