
There have been numerous print and broadcast news reports across the nation on the influx of asylum-seeking migrants being temporarily sheltered in Deming, and both New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and U.S. Representative Xochitl Torres Small spent time in Deming in the last week.
Grisham and her staff members volunteered at the shelter for two days, and Torres Small toured the facilities Monday after speaking at the community’s Memorial Day observance.
Both elected officials pledged support to help take the burden off local resources, with the state guaranteeing $500,000 to Deming and Luna County from funds earmarked for border communities’ needs. Another $500,000 has been allocated to Las Cruces and Dona Ana County.
Meanwhile, Interim Assistant County Manager Chris Brice said there were 196 migrants temporarily housed in Deming as of Tuesday morning, with more on the way.
Brice also confirmed that the city and county have been given access to the National Guard Armory in Deming, and officials are looking at possible uses of the facility.