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California AG probing illegal immigrant flight from New Mexico to Sacramento

7 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Far-left Democrat California Attorney General Rob Bonta is fuming after illegal immigrants were flown from New Mexico to California’s state capital city in Sacramento. The illegal immigrants were previously at a holding facility in El Paso, Texas.

Sacramento County is an illegal immigrant “sanctuary” within the “sanctuary state” of California, according to the Center for Immigration Studies.

The California State Capitol in Sacramento. Suvicce via Wikimedia Commons.

“California’s attorney general said the state of Florida appears to have arranged for a group of South American migrants to be dropped off outside a Sacramento church,” reported the AP.

Bonta said, “While this is still under investigation, we can confirm these individuals were in possession of documentation purporting to be from the government of the State of Florida.”

“While we continue to collect evidence, I want to say this very clearly: State-sanctioned kidnapping is not a public policy choice, it is immoral and disgusting,” he claimed.

U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to El Paso Sector, El Paso Station intercept a group of approximately 127 migrants. CBP Photographer Jaime Rodriguez Sr. CBP, 2019.

Bonta’s spokeswoman, Tara Gallego, said Florida’s Division of Emergency Management operated the flight carried out by contractor Vertol Systems Co.

The same contractor was paid $1.56 million to fly illegal immigrants to the “sanctuary city” of Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, which made national news.

The AP continued, “The 16 migrants who arrived in Sacramento on Friday are from Colombia and Venezuela. They entered the U.S. through Texas. They were transported to New Mexico then flown by a charter plane to California’s capital, where they were then dropped off in front of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sacramento, California officials said.”

California AG probing illegal immigrant flight from New Mexico to Sacramento Read More »

Santa Fe Archbishop Emeritus Sheehan passes away

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On Saturday, the Archdiocese of Santa Fe announced that former Santa Fe Archbishop Michael Sheehan, 83, passed away. Sheehan served as Archbishop of Santa Fe from 1993 to 2015, retiring at 75 as customary of all Roman Catholic bishops.

He spent 50 years serving the church, 32 of those as a bishop.

“With sadness and with profound faith in the Risen Christ, I announce to you that Archbishop Sheehan passed away late this afternoon,” current Archbishop John C. Wester. “He died peacefully and with firm faith in his Lord and Savior. I am sure that he was very gratified by the many visitors he received these past few weeks.”

The Archdiocese wrote in a press release, “Archbishop Sheehan’s peaceful departure brings to an end a remarkable journey that spanned over eight decades, during which he selflessly guided countless individuals on their spiritual path and worked tirelessly to uplift the lives of those in need. Known for his unwavering faith, compassionate nature, and profound wisdom, he leaves a legacy that will continue to inspire future generations.”

“Beyond his pastoral responsibilities, Archbishop Emeritus Sheehan was deeply committed to social justice, evangelization, and worked tirelessly to abolish the death penalty in New Mexico. He championed initiatives aimed at eradicating poverty, promoting equality, and ensuring the well-being of the most vulnerable members of society. His unwavering advocacy for human rights and dignity earned him the respect and admiration of people from all walks of life. On June 17, 2003, he was named Apostolic Administrator of Phoenix until December 20, 2003, and was elected the Secretary of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops November 12, 2003 – December 1, 2006,” the press release continued.

“Born July 9, 1939, in Wichita, Kan., Sheehan was ordained in Rome in 1964 and became the bishop of the Diocese of Lubbock, Texas, in 1983,” reported the Santa Fe New Mexican. 

“Archbishop Robert Sanchez had been forced to resign after admitting misconduct with women, and reports of child sexual abuse by priests were surfacing…. Claims of abuse would continue, eventually prompting a bankruptcy case that recently was settled with nearly 400 claimants for $121.5 million. By many accounts, however, Sheehan succeeded in restoring stability to the diocese and reviving its damaged spirit.”

The Archdiocese added, “The loss of Archbishop Emeritus Michael Jarboe Sheehan will be deeply felt by the Roman Catholic Church, the local community, and countless individuals. His motto, ‘Love One Another Constantly,’ will continue to inspire and guide the faithful to uphold the values he held dear.”

Santa Fe Archbishop Emeritus Sheehan passes away Read More »

Democrat state lawmaker announces resignation

23 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

On Saturday, Democrat New Mexico state Rep. Christine Trujillo of Albuquerque’s 25th House District announced her resignation from the Legislature effective July 1, 2023.

A press release announcing her departure noted her work during the 2023 Legislative Session to put feminine hygiene products in boy’s and girl’s restrooms in public schools and expand “school-based health centers” that would likely be feeders for clients to abortion mills and places to access “gender-affirming care.”

“It’s been the honor of my life time to represent our community in the Roundhouse for the last decade. Thank you to my neighbors for placing your trust in me as your representative. I hope I have made you proud by fighting for our public schools and working to make life easier for New Mexico families. I look forward to continuing to serve our community in my next chapter,” wrote Trujillo in the press release.

Legislative portrait of Rep. Christine Trujillo – 2023.

House Speaker Javier Martinez (D-Albuquerque) said the Democrat lawmaker was an “important voice in our chamber.”

Once Trujillo leaves the chamber, the Bernalillo County Commission will nominate a successor.

According to an analysis of Trujillo’s district’s partisan makeup by Princeton University, the seat skews heavily toward Democrats, with a 71.63 percent estimated vote share for the Democrat Party while only a 28.37 percent for Republicans. 

The seat will likely draw a competitive primary in 2024 for the seat, being a compact district in the heart of Albuquerque. Other seats, such as that of then-Representative, now-Sen. Moe Maestas (D-Bernalillo) resulted in two different Democrats occupying the seat following his abdication to the upper chamber.

Democrat state lawmaker announces resignation Read More »

Treaty broken: Navajo Nation unleashes on Haaland after Chaco Canyon ban

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On Friday, Joe Biden’s U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, a former Democrat congresswoman from New Mexico, released her decision to ban permitting of any type of natural mineral extraction within ten miles of Chaco Canyon, resulting in fury from the Navajo Nation, which opposed the measure after unsuccessfully trying to work with the administration on a compromise.

“Despite the Navajo Nation’s position, Secretary Haaland proceeded to issue this decision one day after the Navajo Nation commemorated our Treaty Day, which recognizes the Treaty of 1868 and the start of the government-to-government relationship between the Navajo Nation and the United States. The Secretary’s action undermines our sovereignty and self-determination,” Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren said. 

“Despite my concerns and denunciation, the Department of Interior has moved forward, which is highly disappointing. Secretary Haaland’s decision impacts Navajo allottees but also disregards the tribe’s choice to lease lands for economic development. Ultimately, this decision jeopardizes future economic opportunities while at the same time placing some 5600 Navajo allottees in dire financial constraints,” said President Nygren.

“The Navajo Nation strongly disagrees with the new public land order and the Department of the Interior’s assertion that there was significant consultation with tribal nations prior to today’s announcement. The current resolution and position of the Navajo Nation supports no land withdrawal. In the past, the Navajo Nation attempted to compromise by proposing a five-mile buffer as opposed to the 10-mile. The Biden Administration has undermined the position of the Navajo Nation with today’s action and impacted the livelihood of thousands of Navajo allotment owners and their families. While we explore our options, we remain open to discussing a path toward compromise,” said Speaker Crystalyne Curley.

The Navajo Nation wrote in a press release, “President Nygren and Speaker Curley urge President Joe Biden and Secretary Haaland to reconsider this decision as it is a breach of trust between the Department of the Interior, the federal government, and the Navajo Nation; the decision is unjust and may violate individual landowner rights (Navajo allottees). President Nygren respectfully requests the Biden Administration work towards a solution that respects the rights and dignity of the Navajo people due to the long-lasting consequences to the Navajo People.” 

The decision ignored opposition from the Navajo Nation through various statements and resolutions by the current and past tribal administrations and conflicts of interest with her own daughter, Somah Haaland, lobbying Congress in support of the ban.

Haaland slaps Navajo Nation in the face with Chaco Canyon decision

Treaty broken: Navajo Nation unleashes on Haaland after Chaco Canyon ban Read More »

New Mexico judge temporarily halts Eunice’s abortion lawsuit

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This week, Fifth Judicial District Judge Lee A. Kirksey temporarily halted a lawsuit filed by the City of Eunice regarding the state’s newly passed H.B. 7, which attempts to usurp authority from local governments to enforce federal laws pertaining to abortion. The judge paused proceedings at least until the state Supreme Court rules on a case regarding local ordinances.

The City of Eunice argued that the federal Comstock Act makes it illegal to ship or receive abortion medication, which contradicts the new law set to go into effect in June. 

Six New Mexico cities and counties have passed pro-life ordinances that would enforce the Comstock Act. Other localities, such as Gallup and Artesia, are considering passing similar legislation. 

“We applaud Judge Kirksey’s decision to stay the lawsuit filed by the city of Eunice,” Democrat state Attorney General Raúl Torrez, who filed the motion for a stay, said, adding he looks “forward to definitively resolving this question in the proper forum — the New Mexico Supreme Court.”

Michael Seibel, who represents the City of Eunice in the case, said the judge’s action was not necessarily unexpected, telling the Albuquerque Journal, “This case is not going to be won at the District Court level.”

“We are just trying to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens from an overwhelming of Texas women coming in to have abortions,” Seibel told the Piñon Post. 

Far-left dark money groups, including the ACLU and Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, have filed briefs in the case supporting Torrez’s attempt to subvert the federal statute. 

New Mexico judge temporarily halts Eunice’s abortion lawsuit Read More »

Haaland slaps Navajo Nation in the face with Chaco Canyon decision

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On Friday, Joe Biden’s U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, a former Democrat congresswoman from New Mexico, released her decision regarding banning drilling near Chaco Canyon. 

Haaland declared that she would issue the withdrawal of federal lands within a 10-mile radius of Chaco Canyon from new oil and natural gas leasing for the next 20 years.

The decision ignored opposition from the Navajo Nation and conflicts of interest with her own daughter, Somah Haaland, lobbying Congress in support of the ban. 

“Despite her conflicts of interest, Secretary Haaland announced a withdrawal of land around Chaco that threatens the livelihoods of 5,500 Navajos near the park. She completely ignored the democratic resolutions of the sovereign Navajo Nation whose lands surround the park to put the interests of her tribe, based a hundred miles away, and obstructionist groups first,” said Kathleen Sgamma, president of Western Energy Alliance (WEA). 

“The decision prevents Navajo property owners from accessing the oil and natural gas resources they own which provide them with their sustenance. Secretary Haaland didn’t even consider the Navajo compromise proposal when conducting the NEPA analysis necessary to support this decision, which leaves her and the Interior Department legally vulnerable.”

In May, the Navajo Nation voted to reject any buffer around Chaco Canyon. In its resolution, the 25th Navajo Nation Council stated, “If the buffer zone is adopted, the Navajo allottees who rely on the income realized from oil and natural gas royalties will be pushed into greater poverty.” 

“The economic costs of Interior’s land withdrawal and prohibition of oil and natural gas leasing will cost Navajo members an estimated $194 million over the next 20 years. Exposing the secretary’s fallacy that it will not impact Navajo lands, the Council noted that the withdrawal will cause Navajo lands to be landlocked and inaccessible to development,” noted WEA. 

The group noted, “Sec. Haaland has several conflicts of interest related to Chaco as the Alliance pointed out in a recent letter to the House Committee on Natural Resources. The secretary’s conflicts involve her daughter’s ties to the climate group Pueblo Action Alliance (PAA). While ignoring the Navajos during the review process, Sec. Haaland granted PAA special access to her office to further her daughter’s lobbying activities.”

In a November 2021 letter to Sec. Haaland, Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez, and Vice President Myron Lizer wrote, “By simply bypassing true and inclusive tribal consultation with the Navajo Nation and our Individual Indian Allottees, the Biden-Harris Administration is markedly undermining the trust responsibility they owe to the Navajo Nation and the 22,000 Individual Indian Allottees impacted by this decision.”

Despite the pushback from tribal stakeholders, Haaland flatly ignored the Nation’s input to instead push forward her daughter’s lobbying efforts on behalf of eco-left dark money organizations. 

Haaland slaps Navajo Nation in the face with Chaco Canyon decision Read More »

See how New Mexico’s U.S. reps. voted on the Biden-McCarthy budget deal

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On Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives voted on a deal between Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) to avert a default on the country’s debts, to the chagrin of many Republicans and Democrats.

Conservatives made the case that the deal doesn’t scratch the surface of the spending that needs to be cut, while Democrats were angered over the lack of supposed “climate” provisions, among other reasons. 

The bill passed by a vote of 314-117. 149 Republicans voted for the bill, 71 voted against it, 165 Democrats voted for it, and 46 voted against it.

This is how New Mexico’s three-member U.S. House delegation voted on the bill:

See how New Mexico’s U.S. reps. voted on the Biden-McCarthy budget deal Read More »

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All the New Mexico politicians on Russia’s ‘blacklist’

5 Comments / New Mexico, Politics / By

Russia is banning more Americans from its soil amid its armed conflict with Ukraine started in February 2022. According to Russian state media, TASS, the total number of U.S. citizens banned from the country has reached 963. 

“Russia seeks no confrontation and remains open to honest, mutually respectful dialogue, distinguishing the American people, who invariably enjoy our respect, from the US authorities, who foment Russophobia, and those who serve them. It is these individuals who are put on Russia’s ‘blacklist,’” the Russians wrote.

Here are all the New Mexicans who are banned from entry into Russia:

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Another top Lujan Grisham official leaves administration

15 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Another Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham administration official is leaving, this time State Police Chief Tim Johnson, who announced his retirement Tuesday after heading the force for four years.

The governor has appointed W. Troy Weisler to take Johnson’s place. Weisler is currently the deputy chief for strategic development, special projects, communications, and recruiting.

“I am grateful to the governor and to the people of New Mexico for entrusting me with this great responsibility,” said Deputy Chief Weisler. “Society is changing, technology is rapidly evolving, and the need for public safety and honorable men and women to serve has never been greater. State Police now has access to unprecedented resources, and I am looking forward to quickly deploying them to address the most pressing needs of law enforcement and the people of New Mexico.”

NM State Police Deputy Chief Weisler

“I admire Deputy Chief Weisler’s dependability, calm disposition, and laser focus on the task at hand,’ said Chief Johnson. “His leadership and experience have greatly assisted me during the last four years and he is perfectly suited to take command of NMSP. I have no doubt the department will move forward in a manner which will serve our communities well.”

New Mexico State Police Chief Tim Johnson

The move by Johnson comes after a particularly violent few weeks for the department, including a Saturday biker gang shootout in Red River that left three dead and many injured. 

The latest departure from the Lujan Grisham administration is not surprising, as her entire reign has been marred with a lack of continuity in any department, with short-tenured cabinet secretaries and appointees leaving for various reasons from her scandal-plagued regime.

Another top Lujan Grisham official leaves administration Read More »

Man charged with murder after Red River biker gang shootout

7 Comments / New Mexico, News / By

Following a Saturday shootout in Red River between two biker gangs, at least three people are dead, and five are injured. The shooting happened on Red River’s Main Street during the town’s 41st annual Red River Memorial Day Motorcycle Rally.

State Police say the violence happened after an altercation between the Bandidos and the Water Dogs motorcycle gangs. The Banditos, originally from Texas, started in the 1960s and operates as an outlaw motorcycle gang, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. 

According to the Water Dogs’ now-deactivated Facebook page, the group “is dedicated to developing a Fraternal Brotherhood of men with loyalty, discipline, and character.”

Jorgen Hendriksen via Unsplash.

The three deceased have been identified as Anthony Silva, 26 years old from Los Lunas, who was a member of the Bandidos motorcycle gang; Randy Sanchez, 46 years old from Albuquerque, a member of the Water Dogs motorcycle gang; and Damien Breaux, 46 years old from Socorro, a member of the Bandidos Motorcycle Gang. 

Zeality | Wiki Commons.

According to State Police Chief Tim Johnson, “For everyone, there will be zero tolerance from this point forward,” adding, “That is traffic violations for 1 mile an hour over, seat belts, jaywalking. We are going to stop and talk to everyone if they violate any law — traffic or criminal.”

“Anybody with warrants or anybody who can be arrested will be arrested,” concluding, “I’ll apologize initially to the law-abiding citizens that came to Red River to have a good Memorial Day weekend, not the gangbangers that are ruining it for all of them.”

The Red River mayor has also implored businesses to close up shop if they can over the holiday weekend following the deadly shootout. 

Three have been charged so far. Jacob Castillo of the Waterdogs was charged with murder, Matthew Jackson of the Bandidos Motorcycle Gang has been charged with unlawful carrying of a firearm in a liquor establishment, and Christopher Garcia of the Bandidos Motorcycle Gang has been charged with possession of cocaine.

Man charged with murder after Red River biker gang shootout Read More »

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