Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Pearce introduced H.R. 6365, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo Land Claims Act of 2018. This bill will ensure that New Mexico communities will get the long-overdue, just treatment they were promised in 1848 when the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed.
 
"New Mexico has a rich cultural history that dates back to a time before our state was formed. Many of the original families who were given land in New Mexico from Spain are still living on those same lands occupied by their ancestors. These communities were promised that they would not be disenfranchised at statehood. Unfortunately, this was not the case for all of them. This bill is an effort to provide these communities another chance to have their claims reviewed to ensure the terms that these families were originally promised by the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo are upheld. The cultural traditions of these communities are a part of the fabric that makes up New Mexico and I believe it is time that the federal government upholds what was promised. Justice is long past due for these communities and I look forward to working with my colleagues to move this bill forward," Congressman Steve Pearce Said.

"The New Mexico Land Grant Council supports the introduction of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo Land Claims Act of 2018. For decades New Mexican communities have suffered from the incomplete implementation of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which protected the property rights of land grant-merced communities, many of which were over a century old when the Treaty was signed in 1848. This Act will examine the impact that the unjust adjudication of the land claims had on land grant-merced communities and will help to not only ensure that they receive the justice and protection they deserve but will also help preserve and maintain the unique cultural traditions and local economies of land grant-merced communities throughout New Mexico."– New Mexico Land Grant Council said.