Southern New Mexico congresswoman renews request for governor to deploy Nat’l Guard to border

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico — Southern New Mexico Congresswoman Yvette Herrell has renewed her call for Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan to deploy the New Mexico National Guard to the U.S.-Mexico border.

The lone Republican member of the state’s congressional delegation, Herrell has supported the border wall and tighter controls on immigration. In her latest request, she cited an increase in Covid-19 infections amid high levels of summer border crossings.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also has renewed emergency powers that allow federal authorities to expel families at the border on the grounds it prevents the spread of the coronavirus.

The governor’s office says the National Guard has been working on pandemic-related missions.