The Las Cruces Fire Department has been recognized by the New Mexico Legislature for its humanitarian efforts to assist asylum seekers who were delivered to the City in 2019 by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Here is a statement from the city:
The legislative award was presented Monday, Jan. 27, 2020, during Las Cruces Day in Santa Fe, to Fire Chief Eric Enriquez and Deputy Fire Chief Jason Smith. Las Cruces City Council members attended the award ceremony. State Senator Mary Kay Papen, President Pro Tem of the New Mexico State Senate, and New Mexico Lieutenant Governor Howie Morales presided at the ceremony.
In addition to Fire Chief Enriquez and Deputy Chief Smith, the award also cited Battalion Chief Michael Daniels, Battalion Chief Tony Espiritu, Driver/Operator Tony Aguilar, Driver/Operator Nicky Palma, Lieutenant Ron Schulmeister, and Firefighters Russell Edwards, Matthew Lopez, Anthony Epperson, Roland Jacques, Adrian Zamora, Louie Burke, Willie Meza, Jose Granados, and Hector Maldonado.
“The Las Cruces Fire Department was instrumental in assisting with housing, travel, clothing, hygiene, safety and medical attention,” said a portion of legislative award. “The entire staff of the Las Cruces Fire Department participated in backfilling and responding to emergency calls.”
The legislative award was signed by state Senators Joseph Cervantes, William P. Soules, Jeff Steinborn, and Papen.
For approximately six months, from April to September 2019, an estimated 17,000 refugees seeking asylum in the U.S. were brought to Las Cruces. The Las Cruces Fire Department, through the City of Las Cruces and Doña Ana County Office of Emergency Management, worked with City, county and state governments, and non-profit, nongovernmental agencies and faith-based organizations to assist asylum seekers.