Teresa Leger Fernandez

Leger Fernández, Luján, Davids, Bacon Lead Bipartisan Bill to Prevent Wrongful Detention of Native Americans During ICE Enforcement

Position: The release advocates for legislation requiring DHS to develop standardized training for immigration enforcement officers on recognizing Tribal identification documents and respecting Tribal sovereignty to prevent wrongful detention of Native Americans.

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM-03), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs, Sharice Davids (D-KS-03), and Don Bacon (R-NE-02) and U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs introduced the bipartisan Respect Tribal IDs Act to improve how Department of Homeland Security (DHS) personnel recognize and interact with Tribal identification documents during immigration enforcement. The legislation comes amid growing reports of Native Americans being questioned, delayed, or detained after federal officers failed to recognize valid Tribal IDs and documentation as proof of citizenship. The Respect Tribal IDs Act would require DHS, in coordination with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Tribal Nations, to develop standardized training for officers and employees involved in immigration enforcement. The training would include how to identify Tribal documents, when Tribal IDs qualify as proof of U.S. citizenship, proper protocols for interacting with enrolled Tribal members, and the federal government’s trust responsibility to Tribal Nations. The bill also requires DHS to create region-specific guidance and reference materials for officers, including examples of Tribal IDs used by federally recognized Tribes in areas where agents operate. Officers would be required to complete the training annually and whenever they are reassigned to a new region. “We’ve seen Trump’s Department of Homeland Security violate the rights of the first Americans countless times. Indigenous people in New Mexico and across the country have been unfairly questioned, harassed, and detained. This bill will require that DHS officers be trained to recognize Tribal IDs and prevent wrongful detentions,” said Representative Leger Fernández. “All law enforcement officials must respect tribal governments and the documents they provide their citizens. ICE and CBP agents must follow the law and respect tribal sovereignty.” “In New Mexico and across the country, our Tribal brothers and sisters deserve to be treated with dignity and respect,” said Senator Luján. “Under the Trump administration, we’ve seen disturbing incidents where Tribal members were stopped, questioned, and harassed by ICE officers simply because of their appearance or because officers failed to recognize their Tribal IDs. That is unacceptable and deeply wrong. To address these failures, my legislation would establish clear standards and ensure DHS officers are properly trained to recognize and accept Tribal IDs. No one should have to fear being harassed because of a failure in training or accountability.” “Tribal sovereignty is a legal and constitutional recognition of Tribal Nations and their citizens, and the federal government has a responsibility to respect that,” said Representative Davids. “But lately, we’ve seen troubling reports of Native Americans being questioned or detained because federal officers lacked the training needed to recognize tribal documentation or understand Tribal Nation citizenship. This bipartisan bill is about preventing those failures, improving training and accountability, and making sure all people are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.” “The Respect Tribal IDs Act is a commonsense bill to ensure DHS personnel are properly trained to recognize Tribal IDs and work respectfully with Tribal communities,” said Representative Bacon. “Federal agencies have a responsibility to protect and support Tribal citizens, and this legislation helps ensure they do that.” “The National Congress of American Indians supports this legislation to ensure that federal agents within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security are properly trained to recognize and respect Tribal identification documents,” said Larry Wright, Executive Director, National Congress of American Indians (NCAI). “Too often, the lack of consistent training has led to confusion, delays, and the improper treatment of Tribal citizens. By requiring comprehensive training on Tribal IDs, this bill affirms the validity of Tribal governments and strengthens the federal trust responsibility. NCAI urges its passage to promote respectful interactions, enhance security, and uphold the rights of Tribal citizens.” The legislation follows multiple high-profile incidents and reports involving Native Americans whose Tribal documentation was reportedly rejected or questioned during federal enforcement encounters. Tribal leaders and advocates have raised concerns that inconsistent training and lack of familiarity with Tribal IDs have contributed to wrongful stops and confusion involving U.S. citizens, particularly in border states and regions with large Native populations. The legislation seeks to establish clearer standards and prevent future incidents by ensuring federal personnel are properly trained before conducting enforcement activities. Congresswoman Leger Fernández has repeatedly confronted the Trump administration’s abuses of Native Americans. She secured language in the FY26 House Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee Bill Report for DHS to support Tribal governmental competency training to reduce immigration enforcement encounters with Native Americans. She also led a letter to President Trump in January 2025, demanding a stop to the unconscionable ICE Harassment and racial profiling of Native American Citizens. She further publicly sounded the alarm about ICE’s abuses against Native Americans through informing and questioning the House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole, about the issue. Additionally, she is leading a FY27 Homeland Security Appropriations request with 12 other Members for the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC), in collaboration with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, to provide tribal government competency training for federal immigration enforcement officers. Further, she is working with Tribal leadership and continuously bringing attention to the Trump administration’s ICE racial profiling, harassment, and detention of Native Americans. Following major DHS scandals, Senator Luján introduced legislation to hold ICE and CBP accountable, increase transparency, and make communities safer. Senator Luján opposed the confirmation of Senator Markwayne Mullin to serve as DHS Secretary. Senator Luján also voted against Kristi Noem’s confirmation as DHS Secretary and successfully pushed for her ouster. Additionally in January 2025, Senator Luján joined Representative Leger Fernández in a letter to President Trump demanding immediate action to address reports of ICE agents harassing, detaining, and questioning Native American Tribal members about their citizenship. Full bill text is available here.

Leger Fernandez Effort to Force Resignation of Reps. Gonzales and Swalwell Over Sexual Misconduct Succeeds

WASHINGTON, D.C. — After calls for accountability led by Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03), Reps. Tony Gonzales and Eric Swalwell announced their resignations from Congress today amid serious allegations of sexual misconduct. Leger Fernández was among the first Members to publicly call for resignation and, if they refused, for expulsion. She announced her resolution to force a vote on Gonzales’ expulsion, which would have been filed tomorrow. Leger Fernández was working alongside Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, a Republican from Florida, who was filing a resolution to expel Swalwell. This was a bipartisan effort to hold both men accountable. To avoid the expulsion votes, Gonzales and Swalwell each announced their resignation—or in the case of Gonzales, “retirement." Gonzales has failed to state when his “retirement” would begin. This evening, Rep. Leger Fernandez reasserted she's not backing down. She intends to file her resolution to expel Gonzales tomorrow unless his resignation from Congress is made effective immediately. “Men in power too often count on silence. They count on fear. They fail to recognize the power of women when they break that silence and stand with each other to demand consequences. From the moment these deeply disturbing allegations came to light, I made clear that anyone who abuses the power of their office to prey on staff is not fit to serve in Congress. Staff come to this institution to serve the American people, not to be exploited, manipulated, or abused by the very people who hold power over their livelihoods. There is no such thing as consent when the imbalance of power is this profound. A Member of Congress controls a staffer’s employment, salary, benefits, future opportunities, and their day-to-day working conditions. That power can never be separated from the harm inflicted in these sexual abuse cases. I believe these survivors and their voices cannot be ignored. Today’s resignations are the direct result of survivors’ courage and the refusal to allow powerful men to escape accountability. They are a direct result of the Resolutions Rep. Luna and I were filing tomorrow. Congress must be a place of public service, dignity, and respect, not abuse. But the work does not end here. Our responsibility is larger than any one resignation. We must protect staff, strengthen accountability, and make clear that no one in a position of power is above consequences. This is not the end," said Leger Fernandez.

Leger Fernández Condemns Rep. Eric Swalwell; Calls for Support for Survivors

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC) Chair Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03) released a statement following reports of sexual misconduct by Rep. Eric Swalwell (CA-14): “The reports of sexual assault perpetrated by Rep. Eric Swalwell are horrific. My heart is first and foremost with the brave women who have come forward. We stand with you. We know that women in this country are too often silenced by men with power — it must end. Rep. Swalwell’s actions would not be tolerated in any place of work, and the United States Congress should be no different. We must believe and support survivors, and hold perpetrators accountable. There must be an investigation immediately and the staffers and interns who courageously came forward must be listened to and kept safe.”

Leger Fernández, Luján Demand Accountability at Meeting with New Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office Leadership

Santa Fe, N.M. – U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) and U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) issued the following statement after meeting with FEMA and Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office leadership: “As the sponsors of the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Assistance Act, we fought to establish the Claims Office and secure $5.45 billion to help New Mexicans rebuild. Since the fire, we have consistently pressed FEMA to speed up relief and answer for the unacceptable delays families continue to face. “Yesterday, we met with the new leadership at the Claims Office to get answers. The Director committed to sharing regular reports with Congress and the public detailing how the office will speed up the claims process and deliver payments without further delay. We made clear that New Mexicans deserve transparency. “We learned that $3.44 billion has been paid out in claims, and we have requested a report on the number of claims still pending and an estimated timeframe for their resolution. The new leadership also committed to providing more timely communication and prioritizing total loss and burn scar claims. “We are hopeful that the new leadership will move this process forward faster and with the respect that our communities deserve. We will continue our advocacy until New Mexicans who lost everything get the relief they deserve.”

Leger Fernández, Luján, Heinrich Call on Forest Service Opposing Carson National Forest Uranium Drilling Proposal and Demanding Full Environmental Review to Protect Chama Watershed

Position: The lawmakers oppose a uranium drilling proposal in Carson National Forest and call on the Forest Service to require a full Environmental Impact Statement before proceeding, citing concerns about protecting the Chama watershed from mineral development.

NEW MEXICO – U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), a member of the House Committee on Natural Resources, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, wrote to Carson National Forest Supervisor James Duran expressing strong opposition to a proposal to conduct uranium drilling within the Carson National Forest. The lawmakers also urged the Forest Service to require a full Environmental Impact Statement and requsted that the Forest Service suspend its review pending congressional action to protect the Chama watershed from mineral development. “We strongly oppose approval of this action and urge the ForestService to require a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) before taking any further action on this proposal,” wrote the lawmakers. “We plan to introduce legislation to withdraw the Chama watershed from all forms of mineral entry. We urge the Forest Service to take that legislative effort into account as it evaluates this proposal,” continued the lawmakers. “The communities of the Chama Valley — acequia farmers, tribal members, ranchers, and rural families — have tended this watershed for generations. The Forest Service has both the authority and the responsibility to ensure that decisions affecting their water, their land, and their future are made with the care, science, and respect those communities deserve,” concluded the lawmakers. Also copied on the letter were leaders of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), including the Secretary of Agriculture, the Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment, the Chief of the U.S. Forest Service, the Associate Chief of the U.S. Forest Service, and the Regional Forester for the Southwestern Region of the USDA Forest Service. The full letter can be found here or below: Attention Carson National Forest Supervisor Duran: We write on behalf of the communities of northern New Mexico to express serious concerns regarding efforts filed by Gamma Resources Ltd. earlier this year seeking authorization to conduct exploratory uranium drilling within the Carson National Forest near Canjilon, New Mexico. We strongly oppose approval of this action and urge the Forest Service to require a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) before taking any further action on this proposal. We also request that the Forest Service suspend its review pending congressional action to protect the Chama watershed from mineral development. It has come to our attention that Gamma Resources Ltd. — a Vancouver-based company traded on the TSX Venture Exchange — has proposed drilling up to twelve exploratory boreholes up to 500 feet deep within the Carson National Forest as part of what the company calls its "Mesa Arc Project." The company has identified a four-mile stretch of the Chama Basin as a target for uranium extraction, and has stated publicly its intent to ultimately extract uranium from this area, not merely explore it. The exploratory phase, if approved, would involve construction of temporary drill pads, approximately 800 feet of new road cuts, and heavy equipment staging — all within one of the most water-sensitive landscapes in New Mexico. We plan to introduce legislation to withdraw the Chama watershed from all forms of mineral entry. We urge the Forest Service to take that legislative effort into account as it evaluates this proposal. The Carson National Forest rises above the villages of the Chama Valley and serves as the headwaters for the water systems that feed acequia ditches, community wells, and agricultural operations throughout the region. The Chama River is a principal tributary of the Rio Grande and a critical source of water for communities across northern New Mexico. What occurs on Carson National Forest lands directly determines the quality and quantity of water available downstream to acequia parciantes (water rights holders), ranchers, tribal communities, and families who depend on shallow wells with no alternative water source. This watershed is not simply an environmental amenity. It is critical water infrastructure — as essential to the communities of northern New Mexico as any road, pipe, or reservoir. Acequia irrigation systems in the Chama Valley have continuously sustained agricultural production and community identity for more than 400 years. Tribal nations have exercised cultural, ceremonial, and subsistence ties to this landscape since time immemorial. The integrity of this watershed is inseparable from the economic survival and cultural continuity of the people who live here. Uranium is not an ordinary hard-rock mineral. Once uranium or associated contaminants enter an aquifer or stream system, remediation is technically complex, extraordinarily expensive, and may require decades of work — or may not be achievable at all. New Mexico bears a disproportionate and well-documented legacy of harm from uranium mining. Hundreds of abandoned uranium mines on and near tribal lands, particularly within the Navajo Nation, have contaminated water sources and resulted in elevated rates of kidney disease and cancer among affected communities. The federal government has spent hundreds of millions of dollars attempting to remediate legacy uranium contamination sites in New Mexico, and significant contamination remains unaddressed decades after mining operations ceased. Even at the exploratory stage, this proposal carries real risk. New road cuts and drill pad construction increase erosion and sedimentation in a watershed that feeds gravity-fed acequia systems where even small changes in sediment load can mean a lost agricultural season. Monsoon rains — increasingly intense under drought conditions — can mobilize surface disturbance rapidly. For families on shallow wells, a single contamination event can permanently alter daily life. We understand you are currently determining whether Gamma's proposal would cause "significant surface disturbance" requiring a full NEPA review. We urge the Forest Service to make that determination affirmatively and promptly. The factors present here — uranium exploration in a sensitive watershed, proximity to acequia-dependent agricultural communities, adjacency to tribal cultural resources, and a company whose stated ultimate goal is extraction, not merely exploration — collectively demand the most rigorous level of environmental review available under federal law. Specifically, we request that any NEPA review address the following questions before approving any plans: 1. What is the baseline water quality in the affected watershed, including groundwater, prior to any surface disturbance, and who will be responsible for ongoing monitoring? 2. What are the specific pathways by which uranium or associated contaminants could reach acequia headgates, surface streams, and shallow aquifers relied upon by nearby communities? 3. What financial assurance mechanisms will ensure that Gamma Resources Ltd. — a junior mining company with no current production revenue — can cover full remediation costs in the event of contamination? 4. How will the Forest Service ensure meaningful government-to-government consultation with affected tribal nations, including consultation that occurs before, not after, any surface disturbance is authorized? 5. What is the cumulative impact of this proposal considered alongside other uranium exploration and development activity currently proposed or underway in New Mexico? Gamma Resources Ltd. is a Canadian company, incorporated in Vancouver and traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange Venture Exchange. Its investors and executives are not accountable to New Mexico communities, and its financial interests are not aligned with the long-term health of the Chama watershed. The company's own investor materials describe New Mexico's "historical deposits" as "low-hanging fruit" — language that reflects an extractive calculus, not a commitment to stewardship. Notably, the company has cycled through two name changes in just over a year — operating as Medallion Resources until February 2024, then as Gabo Mining until June 2025 — and its auditors have repeatedly flagged a "going concern" warning, citing an accumulated deficit of nearly $29 million and no revenue from operations, raising serious questions about whether this company has the financial foundation to responsibly develop, and ultimately reclaim, a uranium mine in the headwaters of the Rio Chama. The administration has framed domestic uranium production as an energy security priority. But energy security built on the contamination of tribal water systems and century-old acequia infrastructure is not security — it is the transfer of risk from a foreign company's shareholders to New Mexico's rural communities. The Chama watershed's clean water is itself a critical resource, one that cannot be replaced if lost. We urge the Forest Service to require a full Environmental Impact Statement for Gamma Resources Ltd.'s proposed Mesa Arc Project, including a draft EIS with a public comment period; to conduct robust, meaningful government-to-government consultation with all affected tribal nations before any permit decision; to require comprehensive baseline water quality testing throughout the affected watershed before any surface disturbance is authorized; and to suspend further permitting action pending the outcome of congressional consideration of legislation to withdraw the Chama watershed from mineral entry. The communities of the Chama Valley — acequia farmers, tribal members, ranchers, and rural families — have tended this watershed for generations. The Forest Service has both the authority and the responsibility to ensure that decisions affecting their water, their land, and their future are made with the care, science, and respect those communities deserve. We welcome the opportunity to discuss these concerns further and request a briefing from Forest Service staff on the current status of the agency's review.

Leger Fernández Statement on Trump’s Threat to Kill a Whole Civilization

Position: Congresswoman Leger Fernández calls for President Trump's removal via the 25th Amendment or impeachment, and urges Congress to pass a War Powers Resolution to halt what she characterizes as an illegal war in Iran and threats of war crimes against civilians.

Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03) today called for immediate action to remove President Trump following his threat that “a whole civilization will die tonight” as war escalates in Iran. "A President who threatens to commit war crimes and kill millions of civilians, profits off the destruction he unleashes, and illegally destroys the freedoms Americans cherish has clearly demonstrated that he should not lead our Nation," said Leger Fernandez. "He is unhinged, unfit, and making Americans less safe." "Trump must be stopped. He must be removed. The Constitution gives Republicans in the Cabinet the power to remove him under the 25th Amendment. Republicans in Congress hold the power to impeach him. They have the power to stop this madness." "What will my Republican colleagues do? Do you support his war crime threats? And if not, will you use your power to stop this?" "Republicans in Congress will only act when all of us—especially Republican voters—make our voices heard. The people have the greatest power in our Constitution, and we must speak up now. We must demand accountability for Trump’s dangerous actions and push Republican leaders to finally have the courage to do what is right." "I call on Republicans to bring Congress back into session to pass a War Powers Resolution to stop his illegal war, and to impeach him now. We must act before it’s too late," she concluded.

Congresswoman Leger Fernández and N.M. Delegation Respond to Trump Administration’s New Actions to Undo Protections for the Greater Chaco Region

Position: The delegation opposes the Trump administration's actions to eliminate protections for the Greater Chaco Region and allow new oil and gas leasing on federal lands surrounding Chaco Culture National Historical Park, arguing the accelerated timeline for environmental review and tribal consultation is inadequate and threatens irreplaceable cultural and archaeological sites.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), U.S. Representative Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez alongside (D-N.M.)U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) released the following statements regarding the Trump administration’s new actions to eliminate protections for the Greater Chaco Region that safeguard the area from new oil and gas leasing, undoing a 20-year mineral withdrawal that has kept public lands surrounding Chaco Culture National Historical Park off-limits to new development. Yesterday, the Trump administration committed to conducting an environmental assessment within 90 days and finalizing Tribal consultation on historic preservation within 30 days. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is only granting seven days for organizations and individuals to submit scoping comments before proceeding with the environmental review. “Chaco Canyon is not just a place on a map, it is a sacred, living landscape that carries the history, culture, and identity for many Tribal communities,” said Leger Fernández, Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs. “We secured the protections for the Greater Chaco Region, which includes over 4,700 archaeological sites, through a thorough and inclusive process. The Trump administration’s rushed attempt to roll back the protections blatantly disregards the careful consideration that such a sacred and historical site like Chaco Canyon deserves. The administration is willing to destroy irreplaceable artifacts for a molecule of gas that could be found on other federal lands across the San Juan Basin.” “Chaco Canyon is sacred. As the Trump Administration rushes to push through oil and gas leasing in the greater Chaco Landscape—they announced yesterday that they will give just ONE WEEK for public comment on removing protections for this sacred place. This is unconscionable,” said Stansbury, Member of the House Committee on Natural Resources and Democratic Vice-Chair of the Congressional Native American Caucus. “This Administration’s attempt to push leasing without comprehensive tribal consultation and meaningful community engagement threatens a landscape that has been home to Pueblo and Diné people for thousands of years, since time immemorial. That’s why we are fighting to ensure it is protected for generations to come. We need your voices to continue speaking up, speaking out, and supporting Chaco Canyon!” “This administration continues to show its deep contempt for Indian Country, this time seeking to undo protections for the Chaco Canyon landscape, going against the will of New Mexico’s Pueblos. Chaco is an irreplaceable and sacred landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a place that deserves protection. There are appropriate places to develop oil and gas, and this is not one of them,” said Vasquez. “Chaco Canyon is a living cultural landscape that holds deep historical meaning and is a sacred space for many of our New Mexico Tribes,” said Heinrich, Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and co-founder of the U.S. Senate Stewardship Caucus. “It is not just one more place to drill. The disrespect shown by the Trump administration toward New Mexicans seems to know no bounds.” “Allowing just seven days for public comment on the fate of a 1,000-year-old sacred site is inadequate and disgraceful. I’ve spent my career working to secure lasting protections for Chaco Canyon and the Greater Chaco Region through real consultation and meaningful public input,” said Luján, a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.“The Trump administration is doing the opposite — jamming a comment period into Holy Week and limiting public participation to online-only access, all while Pueblos are in the midst of preparations for sensitive cultural activities. This is unacceptable, and I will continue pushing back against this administration’s attempts to undermine Tribal sovereignty.” Located in northwestern New Mexico, the Greater Chaco landscape is a region of great cultural, spiritual, and historical significance to many Pueblos and Tribes that contains living sacred sites. Chaco was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 and is one of only 26 such sites in the United States. The New Mexico Congressional Delegation has worked tirelessly to permanently protect Chaco Canyon. Last November, Heinrich, Luján, and Stansbury hosted a press conference with Pueblo leaders on the steps needed to be taken to permanently protect the landscape. Earlier that same month, the N.M. Congressional Delegation sent a letter to the U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, urging the Trump administration to reverse course on its decision to initiate the process to fully revoke Public Land Order (PLO) No. 7923, which currently protects the area around Chaco Canyon from oil and gas drilling. Last September, the N.M. Delegation hosted a press conference in front of the U.S. Capitol with 20 Governors and leaders from the Santa Ana, Picuris, Cochiti, Zia, Tesuque, Acoma, Santo Domingo, and Laguna Pueblos to demand the Trump administration permanently protect Chaco Canyon, and to invite U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to visit the Greater Chaco landscape before deciding its fate. Watch the video of the full press conference here. Last June, the N.M. Delegation sent a letter initially inviting Secretary Burgum to visit Chaco Canyon before deciding its fate and engage directly with Tribal leaders and local communities to hear directly about the profound cultural and spiritual significance of this sacred landscape. Secretary Burgum issued the directive to begin revoking the protections and decided the fate of Chaco Canyon without experiencing it firsthand. Following Secretary Burgum’s directive, the N.M. Delegation sent a letter urging the Trump administration to reverse course on its decision to initiate the process to fully revoke Chaco Canyon’s protections. Last April, the N.M. Delegation reintroduced legislation to protect Chaco Canyon and the greater sacred landscape surrounding the Chaco Culture National Historical Park. The legislation was led by Leger Fernández in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senator Luján in the U.S. Senate.

Leger Fernández Opposes Blank Check for ICE; Reiterates Pay for TSA, Coast Guard, FEMA Bill Must Be Passed

Position: Congresswoman Leger Fernández opposes providing additional funding to ICE and CBP without constitutional safeguards and oversight. She supports funding TSA, Coast Guard, FEMA, and other homeland security agencies separately, without tying that funding to expanded ICE authority.

Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández released the following statement after voting against H. Res. 1128 and opposing efforts to tie funding for critical homeland security agencies to unchecked authority for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): “I support the mission of agencies from TSA to the Coast Guard, and FEMA to the Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency, " said Leger Fernández. “That’s why I’ve consistently pushed to fund them—and voted to make sure TSA agents, Coast Guard members, and FEMA personnel get paid and can do their jobs. But I will not vote to give more money to ICE and CBP while they refuse to follow the law. Right now, Republicans want to hand ICE more power without requiring it to respect basic Constitutional rights. Every other law enforcement agency in the country is required to follow the Constitution—they cannot barge into your home without a warrant; they cannot use excessive force or kill you for exercising your free speech. Americans know it is wrong to give away these basic constitutional protections to anyone—especially not agents who hide behind masks. If ICE can barge into homes, then no one’s rights are safe. Not yours. Not mine. No one’s. The only reason Republicans would oppose these guardrails is because they expect ICE to violate them. At the same time, Republicans have admitted this isn’t about resources—ICE and CBP received $140 billion from OBBBA. Their agents are being paid, and they have money to operate for years to come. That’s why I voted against H. Res. 1128. I reject the idea that we have to choose between funding critical security agencies and writing a blank check to a broken ICE. There is a better path—and members of both parties know it. House Democrats and many Republicans agree: we can fund DHS agencies like TSA, FEMA, and cybersecurity operations right now, without rewarding an agency that needs reform. The best way to get our TSA workers paid is to pass the bill that I cosponsored in the House and that Senate Democrats have voted on 10 times. Passing our bill, paying TSA workers will shorten airport lines and help us prepare for wildfire season,” she concluded.

Leger Fernandez Statement in Light of Cesar Chavez Allegations of Sexual Abuse

WASHINGTON, D.C. —Today, March 18, 2026, Democratic Women’s Caucus Chair Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03), released the following statement on the horrifying sexual abuse allegations raised against farmworker and civil rights movement leader Cesar Chavez: “The farmworker and civil rights movement was built by countless people — especially women and families who sacrificed everything for a better future. That history is bigger than any one person. Honoring that legacy means facing painful truths and continuing the work for justice with honesty and humanity. A movement rooted in justice must address all injustice. I am heartbroken and deeply disturbed by the stories that have come forward from women who say they were abused as girls by Cesar Chavez, and Dolores Huerta’s painful account of what she endured. Survivors carried this pain in silence for years. We owe them our support; we must hear them and believe them. My Democratic Women’s Caucus colleagues and I will always stand with survivors and will continue fighting for a future where all women and girls are safe in their communities, homes, and at work.”

Leger Fernández’s Small Cemetery Conveyance Act Passes in the House

Washington, D.C. – Today, the House unanimously passed Congresswoman Leger Fernández’s (NM-03) bill, H.R. 4284, the Small Cemetery Conveyance Act. The bill would remove long-standing federal obstacles for rural, Tribal, and land-grant communities to care for ancestral cemeteries located on National Forest lands. For generations, families laid their loved ones to rest on lands consecrated long before those lands were claimed by the federal government. Too many communities must navigate costly, time-consuming bureaucratic processes simply to maintain the cemeteries where their ancestors are buried. The Small Cemetery Conveyance Act addresses this by allowing the U.S. Forest Service to transfer small parcels of land containing historic cemeteries directly to states, local governments, federally recognized Tribes, and land-grant Mercedes without requiring a purchase or land exchange. The bill also authorizes the Forest Service to waive expensive survey and appraisal fees for communities that cannot afford them. In New Mexico alone, at least eight cemeteries across four land-grant communities are potentially eligible for transfer under the legislation, with many more historic cemeteries throughout the National Forest System expected to benefit. Watch the Congresswoman’s testimony on the bill HERE and the full hearing HERE.