WASHINGTON, D.C. -  Congresswoman Xochitl Torres Small, NM-2, released a statement Aug. 23 calling on the Trump Administration to reconsider changes proposed to the interpretation of the Flores Settlement Agreement concerning detention of migrant children in federal facilities.

“Children are especially vulnerable when they are held in detention. The Flores Agreement addresses that fact. We all recognize that our immigration system is broken, but keeping children in detention with no end in sight does not improve safety or reflect our values.  I call on the Administration to reconsider its decision, and come to the table to work with the leadership from both parties and Chambers to...

Paid sick leave: an important piece of family well-being puzzle

Half of all workers in New Mexico cannot earn paid sick leave and have to either go to work when they or a family member is sick, or stay home and lose pay. This is the highest rate in the nation, according to a report released August 19, entitled “Valuing Families at Work: The Case for Paid Sick Leave in New Mexico.” The report was released by the child advocacy organization, New Mexico Voices for Children.

A big part of the problem is that the federal government has no paid sick leave policy - unlike most wealthy nations. Several states and municipalities have enacted paid sick leave policies - most recently, Oregon...

Joins 22 attorneys general

In an action designed to protect against discrimination against women, people with disabilities, the LGBTQ community and other vulnerable populations, Attorney General Hector Balderas joined a coalition of 22 attorneys general in submitting a comment letter that opposes the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) proposed rule to drastically undermine Section 1557 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), which prohibits discrimination in federal healthcare programs, benefits, and services. Specifically, Section 1557 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, and age. The proposed rule...

More New Mexico families will qualify for child care assistance without being wait-listed, and could stay longer on the program under proposed rules posted July 29 by the Children Youth and Families Department.

Under current eligibility limits put in place in the wake of a lawsuit against CYFD, families can qualify and stay on the child care program if they make less than two times the federal poverty level and not one dollar more. The proposal would take the exit point up from twice the poverty level to 250%.

To put the changes in perspective, a single mother with two children could make up to $42,660 per year and qualify, and could keep getting child care assistance with increasing...