Albuquerque Mayor Keller is lamenting the Trump administration's proposed funding cuts and has joined other progressive cities and counties in opposing them. The cuts are the result of the president’s January 20 executive order (EO) to ensure that “sanctuary jurisdictions” that “interfere with the lawful exercise of Federal law enforcement operations” do not receive federal funds. The mayor’s opposition to these funding cuts is in defense of policies that only serve to put Albuquerque residents at risk.
Trump’s EO was intended to stop Sanctuary Cities from protecting criminals who are wreaking havoc on our communities, leaving citizens at risk. Technically, Albuquerque is 'immigrant-friendly', meaning city personnel and police will not inquire about citizenship status in the normal course of business. But in practice, Albuquerque is currently operating as a sanctuary city. This means that the Keller administration is preventing ICE and other federal agencies from gaining access to proper and necessary information, which would allow them to deport violent criminals.
Earlier this year, Albuquerque was listed as a federal “sanctuary jurisdiction” and warned that it could lose federal funding. Mayor Keller defiantly stated, “We expected this designation…in many ways this is a badge of courage…”
Now that the Trump administration is implementing funding cuts, Keller bemoans, “Federal policies are putting essential services and Albuquerque families at risk.”
No, Mayor Keller, it is you who is putting Albuquerque families at risk. You and your Chief of Police have determined that you will not enforce specific laws that exist to keep us safe. Your actions leave everyone in the Albuquerque area in harm’s way, and your refusal to cooperate with federal agencies trying to deport hardened criminals only makes the situation worse.
Keller chose this path several years ago. Anyone who comes here can see the damage caused by the lawlessness that he created. Businesses have left, buildings are boarded up, open drug use has become the norm, and tent cities are everywhere. It looks and feels like a third-world country.
Why should taxpayers fund the further destruction of New Mexico’s largest city through Keller’s misuse of their hard-earned tax dollars? And is the mayor truly concerned about the loss of federal funding? Then why would he double down on sanctuary city practices rather than take steps to comply with federal laws meant to strengthen security? He has been given several months to clean up his practices, but he has refused to do so.
Keller claims the funding cuts go to necessary services for the vulnerable. Certainly, Albuquerque should assist those who need it. But should it be funding those who choose to live on our streets or be here without legal resident status? Much of the federal funding at risk of being cut is used to provide and expand benefits for these very groups. A large portion of our city's tax dollars also goes to these same purposes.
There is growing angst from Albuquerque citizens that our streets are being overrun by people who are not required to follow laws that make this a civilized community. The lack of enforcement empowers vagrants and criminals to believe they can do as they please, regardless of the risk it poses to the rest of us. Unfortunately, Mayor Keller has done nothing to change that and instead has boasted about not enforcing certain laws.
As the Keller administration continues to prioritize the interests of criminals and criminal activity over the needs of law-abiding citizens, change is necessary. It’s time to enforce existing laws and cooperate with any agency seeking to improve our safety. Removing financial means that facilitate unlawful and unsafe conditions does not sound radical to Albuquerqueans who want their city back. It sounds like it could be the only way to force a corrective path.
We’re not being “Trumped”, we’re being “Kellered”. It was Keller who established the policies that have damaged our city and contravened federal law and regulations. Until we decide his reign of terror is over, we are all forced to live with the consequences of his actions.
The time has come for Albuquerque to chart a new course toward a brighter future, and that will be accomplished with new leadership. We need a mayor who will prioritize the safety and well-being of Albuquerque citizens over Keller’s liberal progressive policies that cater to the vagrants and criminals.
Better Together New Mexico (NMBC) is a statewide, nonpartisan organization. It stands for family integrity, individual rights, and practical policies that help everyone. For more information, please visit our website at https://bettertogethernewmexico.org
