From time to time, I post follow-ups to specific items mentioned at the previous Indivisible Santa Fe meeting. Information related to and recommended actions from January 12, 2026 meeting, below.

Tell New Mexico Senators and Representatives: No funding the government without restraints on ICE and CBP

With Congress facing another fight over continued funding for the federal government, Democratic Representatives and Senators have a chance to refuse to vote for another continuing resolution unless it puts the brake on ICE and CBP.

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Quick info about continuing resolutions and how the Congress can use the upcoming vote on one to rein in ICE and CBP: The program activities of most federal agencies are generally funded on an annual basis through the enactment of regular appropriations acts. When annual appropriations bills are not enacted by the beginning of the fiscal year (October 1), one or more continuing appropriations acts (CRs) may be enacted to provide stop-gap funding. Congress did not pass a regular appropriation act by October 1, 2025, so continued funding for many federal agency activities now depends on Congress passing continuing resolutions. The currently operative one expires on January 30, 2026. Representatives and Senators can refuse to vote to approve a new one unless it includes provisions restricting ICE and CPB activities in U.S. cities and towns. More drastically, they can refuse to approve any CR that funds ICE or CBP. If Congress does not pass a CR, the federal government will "shut down" when the current one expires. Thus, demanding provisions in exchange for a yes vote is a form of leverage available to every Senator and Representative.

Indivisible Santa Fe is encouraging New Mexicans to communicate to their Congressional Representatives and Senators about this issue. At the end of this post we provide information about how to convey your message.

Suggested language

Feel free to use the language below for inspiration or as is. In some places, I have included a choice of phrases.

Dear [Senator Heinrich] [Senator Lujan] [Representative [insert your Representative’s name]],
I am a constituent of yours. I reside in postal zip code area [insert your zip code]. I am appalled by the conduct of ICE, CBP, and other federal agents under the direction of the Department of Homeland Security. These agents are marauding in U.S. cities and towns, acting irresponsibly, dangerously, and in some instances seemingly criminally. With the current continuing resolution due to expire on January 30, 2026 you have an opportunity to put the brakes on. I urge and expect you to refuse your vote for any new continuing resolution unless it specifically [contains provisions limiting DHS-directed immigration enforcement actions in U.S. cities and towns] [refuses continued funding to DHS unless ICE and CBP cease all activity in U.S. cities and towns] [disallows DHS from funding any ICE or CBP activity in U.S. cities and towns]. Please stand firm in the face of the current abhorrent and legally suspect actions of ICE, CBP, and other federal units. Use the power of the purse to stop this conduct.
Sincerely,
[your full name]
[your email or postal address]

How to send your communication

If you want your letter to be part of a collective delivery, you have two options. On Wednesday, January 14 at 10 a.m, ISF participant Bruce B will be at Christ Lutheran Church, 1701 Arroyo Chamiso, collecting hard copies of letters for Senators Heinrich and Luján. Bruce will attempt to deliver the letters to the Senators' respective Santa Fe offices this week. You may also bring hard copies of your letters to the next regularly scheduled ISF meeting and somebody from ISF will attempt to deliver them next week. Either way, please prepare separate letters to each Senator.

You can individually mail hard copies to the Senators and Representative Teresa Leger Fernández at the addresses below:

  • The Honorable Martin Heinrich, United States Senate, 709 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510
  • The Honorable Ben Ray Luján, United States Senate, 498 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510
  • The Honorable Teresa Leger Fernández, United States House of Representatives, 2417 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515

You can write online to the Senators and Representative Teresa Leger Fernández at: