Herrell sought to travel with VP Harris on trip to Guatemala, Mexico
ALAMOGORDO, New Mexico — The recent crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border is gaining national attention because of the influx of immigrants fleeing their home countries.
In order to get to the root of the problem, Vice President Kamala Harris is making her first international trip to Mexico and Guatemala.
“It's going to be an honest and real conversation,” Harris said. “So I'm there to listen as much as I am to share perspective.”
But it’s not sitting well with Republican Congresswoman Yvette Herrell of Alamogordo, who represents southern New Mexico.
“You know it sounds great, she's going to go to a foreign country and talk to their government and talk about these issues, but until we really have a conversation that actually addresses this, I don't see how she can do this without understanding the complexity and the sheer size of this issue,” Herrell told ABC affiliate KOAT.
Herrell says she sent the vice president a letter addressing how the crisis at the border is affecting those in southern New Mexico. She also asked to go with Harris on her trip, she says in order to have bipartisan conversations.
“I believe taking somebody who has the experience and represents a state that borders Mexico would've been a great idea. And today we have not heard back from her or the administration,” said Herrell.
While Herrell is disappointed with the lack of presence at the southern border, New Mexico Democrats including Sen. Ben Ray Lujan are applauding the vice president.
In a joint statement they said, "It is essential to continue pressing government and civil society leaders in the region to strengthen compliance with labor, humanitarian, and international human rights laws.”
Sen. Martin Heinrich also sent a statement of support.
"I thank Vice President Harris for strengthening America's presence on the world stage and stand ready to rebuild our immigration system,” said Heinrich in a statement.
