Report: New plan to send more migrants to Albuquerque

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — As a record number of migrants are arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border, new reporting shows a plan to move many of them to Albuquerque.

NBC News reports it has obtained documents that show the Department of Homeland Security plans to transport migrants awaiting immigration proceedings to various U.S. cities. In the coming weeks, Los Angeles would be the first city to receive migrants, and, at some point, Albuquerque would as well, according to the report.

The movements would be an attempt to help with overcrowding closer to the border.

None of the New Mexico agencies KOB 4 reached out to Wednesday would confirm they have any knowledge of new plans to send migrants to Albuquerque.

A spokesperson for the city office that handles immigration, which falls under the Office of Equity and Inclusion, gave details on asylum seekers. They said, since February, the city has provided shelter for about 800 asylum seekers – temporarily putting them up in a hotel, for which FEMA pays them back. Volunteers provide other help.

The spokesperson did not say whether that process would apply to migrants who would come to Albuquerque in the reportedly new DHS plans.

A rep for the lead organization that helps refugees in New Mexico, Lutheran Family Services, said it would not have anything to do with the plans, saying it would not play a role in providing shelter in a situation like that.

A spokesperson with the governor’s office did not say whether the governor is aware of the plans, but added, “We would have significant concerns about any action that would affect the statewide capacity to provide humanitarian assistance to wildfire relief efforts.”

Many other city and state agencies either said they would not be involved, or they were not able to answer KOB 4’s questions.