Rep. Gabe Vasquez Backs Law Enforcement Leaders from Border and Rural Communities, Working to Strengthen Public Safety Across Southern New Mexico

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. – On July 8, 2026, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) joined Sunland Park Police Chief Kiri Daines for a border ride-along and convened a regional meeting with rural law enforcement leaders to hear directly about the unique needs and challenges facing officers serving New Mexico's border communities.

The conversations focused on strengthening border security, combating cartels and fentanyl trafficking, supporting recruitment and retention for rural departments, and ensuring local law enforcement has the funding, technology, and federal partnerships needed to keep communities safe.

“Local law enforcement in border counties face unique public safety challenges that require our attention and investment,” said Vasquez. “I’ve been working with Sheriffs and local police along the U.S.-Mexico border for years, and I know firsthand the resources they need to combat cartels, drug trafficking, and human smuggling, all while working with staff shortages and limited resources. That's why I'm working across the aisle with Democrats and Republicans to make sure all New Mexico law enforcement  — including those in rural and small communities — have the funding, tools, and support they need to keep both themselves and members of our communities safe.”

During the morning border ride-along, Chief Daines provided an on-the-ground look at the latest trends and realities of policing a border community, where local officers coordinate daily with federal, state, and neighboring law enforcement agencies to respond to public safety incidents, cartel activity, emergency calls, and cross-border challenges.

Following the ride-along, Vasquez met with Chief Daines, Doña Ana County Sheriff Kim Stewart, Hidalgo County Sheriff William Chadborn, Luna County Sheriff-Elect Glenn Chadborn, Chief of Police Sergio Lara of Deming, and other regional law enforcement leaders to discuss how the Congressman can best continue to support the unique needs of small and rural departments, including recruitment and retention challenges, equipment needs, information sharing, and strategies to combat fentanyl trafficking and transnational criminal organizations. 

Vasquez has a long record of working across the aisle to advance legislation supporting law enforcement and strengthening public safety, including:  

• His bipartisan No More Narcos Act and Stop COYOTES Act, endorsed by the Sunland Park Police Department, to crack down on cartels, protect children from criminal recruitment, increase penalties for human traffickers and fentanyl smugglers, and improve coordination between federal, state, local, and Tribal law enforcement.
• His bipartisan Secure Our Skies Drone Safety Act, endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police, to help law enforcement better respond to criminal drone activity used by cartels.
• The Invest to Protect Act, which expands federal funding for recruitment, retention, and training officers at small law enforcement agencies who have under 175 officers like the Deming Police Department, Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office, Luna County Sheriff’s Office, and others throughout New Mexico’s 2nd district.
• The Protecting First Responders from Secondary Exposure Act, which provides protective equipment for officers responding to dangerous fentanyl-related incidents.
• Bipartisan efforts to strengthen High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) programs and improve information sharing among law enforcement agencies combating drug trafficking. Vasquez has condemned the Administration’s push to cut funding for HIDTA by 35 percent. 

Vasquez has also championed Community Project Funding requests to bring millions of dollars of federal investment home to help local police departments modernize facilities, purchase patrol vehicles and public safety technology, and improve emergency response capabilities across southern New Mexico. In FY26 alone, Vasquez secured over $1.8 million for public safety priorities from Albuquerque to Carlsbad. 

“I appreciate Chief Daines and the border sheriffs and local police who took the time to meet with me and share the latest on conditions on the ground, challenges they’re up against, and stalled federal funding,” Vasquez said. “Since taking office, I’ve always had a proactive stance when it comes to strengthening public safety, listening and taking action to provide the funding and tools our law enforcement officers need to protect New Mexico families, stop organized crime, disrupt drug trafficking, and keep our communities safe. That work will continue.”

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