A new measure to permanently create the Office of New Americans in New Mexico is now awaiting the signature of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham after lawmakers approved House Bill 124 with a vote of 22-12.
The measure formalizes the Office of New Americans under the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions, transitioning it from a grant-funded initiative into a permanent state office.
The Office of New Americans was initially launched in 2024 with temporary funding to facilitate workforce integration and economic mobility for immigrants across New Mexico.
The bill mandates the office to continue coordinating workforce development programs, job training access, and partnerships to integrate new arrivals into New Mexico’s labor market.
Seventeen Democratic lawmakers sponsored the bill.
If signed into law, according to Action Network, New Mexico would join a handful of states—including Nevada, Colorado, North Dakota, Ohio, and Utah.
Immigrant Safety Act
Before this, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed House Bill 9, also known as the Immigrant Safety Act, into law on Feb. 5.
The law terminates any existing 287(g) agreements between public entities and ICE. It also prohibits future renewals of the agreement across the state. The law prohibits using public land, facilities, or other government resources to detain individuals for federal immigration purposes.