POLICY ISSUES
![Rep. Leger Fernández poses with students during her visit to Cuba Schools.](/congress117th/20221209073027im_/https://fernandez.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/fernandez.house.gov/files/styles/medium/public/evo-media-image/20220225_175335495_iOS-min.jpg?itok=bxB2SVhR)
![Rep. Leger Fernández views the mountains from the Cerro de la Olla preserve.](/congress117th/20221209073027im_/https://fernandez.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/fernandez.house.gov/files/styles/medium/public/evo-media-image/Cerro%20de%20la%20Olla%208-min.jpg?itok=ju76xMuc)
![Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez with United States secretary of health and human services Xavier Becerra during a roundtable on rural healthcare.](/congress117th/20221209073027im_/https://fernandez.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/fernandez.house.gov/files/styles/medium/public/evo-media-image/Health.png?itok=hrBlS4CA)
![Rep. Leger Fernández visiting the Española clinic on March 22.](/congress117th/20221209073027im_/https://fernandez.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/fernandez.house.gov/files/styles/medium/public/evo-media-image/Espanola%20vet%20visit%20.png?itok=QjPMEyVp)
![Members of Congress in front of a wall that says Esperanza](/congress117th/20221209073027im_/https://fernandez.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/fernandez.house.gov/files/styles/medium/public/evo-media-image/border%201.jpg?itok=nUDYtQ7A)
Immigrants bring invaluable talent and energy to communities in New Mexico and across the United States. Many leave everything they love behind in search of a better life for their families. They care for our elderly, pick and prepare our food, and are incredible entrepreneurs making our economy stronger and more vibrant.
![Rep. Leger Fernández at base camp with the Zuni SWFF](/congress117th/20221209073027im_/https://fernandez.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/fernandez.house.gov/files/styles/medium/public/evo-media-image/SFWW.jpg?itok=V_vuTd-I)
![TLF at Abiquiu Lake](/congress117th/20221209073027im_/https://fernandez.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/fernandez.house.gov/files/styles/medium/public/evo-media-image/Abiqui%20Lake%20.jpg?itok=nRTGmI10)
![TLF visits Navajo Nation 2022](/congress117th/20221209073027im_/https://fernandez.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/fernandez.house.gov/files/styles/medium/public/evo-media-image/nn-visit-2022.png?itok=8OiY4IUB)
We must protect sacred land, uplift Native voices, and celebrate Indigenous cultures. In New Mexico, we recognize the sacred lands and customs of our Pueblos. Indigenous peoples have taken care of the land and water since time immemorial. Leading by example, they have conserved and treasured precious resources for generations.
![TLF attends a field hearing about voter access in New Mexico.](/congress117th/20221209073027im_/https://fernandez.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/fernandez.house.gov/files/styles/medium/public/evo-media-image/voting-access-.png?itok=tXZalXns)
I was raised in a household that truly believed in democracy. I often tell the story of my grandmother, who when she was literally in hospice, she’d call up people in Spanish and say, "You need to make sure you get to vote." Voting should be a celebration. It’s an opportunity to use your voice. That’s why I am committed to protect this right for every American.
![TLF stands amongst white flags representing people who died of COVID-19.](/congress117th/20221209073027im_/https://fernandez.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/fernandez.house.gov/files/styles/medium/public/evo-media-image/covid-moment-of-silence-.png?itok=lJUMCRkp)