Vasquez pledges visa reform and Iran war costs cuts in New Mexico race

New Mexico’s Second Congressional District is under intense scrutiny this election cycle.

In 2024, the district voted for Donald Trump but sent Democrat Gabe Vasquez to the House. Republicans now view the seat as a key target to prevent Democrats from controlling the House chamber.

Vasquez, who has served two terms, told Nash Jones of New Mexico in Focus on NMPBS that both parties have failed on immigration policy. He cited his grandmother’s 16-year wait for a family visa as evidence of a broken system. He noted that while asylum seekers received work authorization during the Biden administration, long-term petitioners felt ignored. Vasquez stated that he finds it unacceptable that lawmakers set the issue aside when a supermajority existed in the Senate.

The representative introduced the Care Worker Visa Act to address local shortages. The bill proposes 100,000 new visas for caregivers who lack documentation or are sponsored by family members. Vasquez explained that 15,000 children in New Mexico currently cannot access universal childcare due to a worker shortage. The legislation would allow families to hire caregivers for up to three years, after which those workers could achieve legal status.

Vasquez addressed the impact of his vote against the recent congressional budget bill, which he said led to the loss of SNAP benefits for tens of thousands of New Mexicans. He stated that 10,000 children in the district no longer have access to food assistance. He described the aid as equivalent to six dollars per day, covering items like pinto beans and tortillas for three meals. He argued that House Democrats must prioritize restoring these cuts when they lead the Appropriations and Agriculture Committees.

On the economy, Vasquez linked local inflation to foreign policy decisions. He said he voted six times to end the Iran War, noting that more Republicans joined those efforts. He criticized the administration for starting the conflict without congressional notice or allied support. The war has increased costs for gas, diesel, and fertilizer, he said, while the federal government refuses to admit the total spending, which he estimates in the hundreds of billions.

Vasquez said small businesses face high input costs, forcing them to raise prices on nearly everything. He pledged to cut tariffs and improve trade relations with Canada and Mexico to lower the cost of goods for district residents.