State officials and community leaders gathered at the National Hispanic Cultural Center to defend newly enacted laws aimed at protecting immigrant communities. Republican lawmakers, however, voiced strong opposition.
The Mexican Consulate hosted on Thursday the “Coffee with Community” forum, where key legislation passed during the latest session was highlighted, including measures that limit local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
Forum discussions centered on the Immigrant Safety Act, which Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed into law on February 5. It prohibits local governments from contracting with federal agencies to detain individuals for civil immigration purposes. The law also bars law enforcement agencies from entering into agreements that would allow local officers to assist in immigration enforcement.
“That’s no longer allowed,” said House Speaker Javier Martinez. State officials also pointed to the Driver Privacy and Safety Act. The said law restricts the use of state-owned license plate reader data in immigration-related operations.
Additionally, lawmakers approved the creation of an Office of New Americans. The office acts as a centralized hub where immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers can access services such as adult education, business support, and job training.
“These are folks who are here as immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers. It’s a one-stop shop for them to be able to access information,” Martinez said.
But Republican lawmakers frowned on the measures. They argue that limiting cooperation with federal authorities could weaken enforcement of immigration laws.
In a statement, Senate Republicans said they oppose “legislation that undermines the enforcement of federal law.” They questioned how far Democrats are willing to go in defying federal policies.
Martinez dismissed the criticism. He described these laws are aligned with the state’s long-standing values. “It’s too bad because these are New Mexico values. New Mexico welcomes the stranger. New Mexico welcomes the immigrant,” he said.
Local law enforcement leaders also reassured the immigrant communities that they will not put them in harm’s way. Cecily Barker, chief of the Albuquerque Police Department, stressed that officers do not inquire about immigration status.
“[Anyone] can come and contact our police department, and we are not worried about immigration status. We will never ask anyone their immigration status, nor will we notify federal law enforcement about that contact,” Barker said.
Sheriff John Allen of the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office voiced the same message. He said deputies do not ask about immigration status during routine operations. “We do not ever ask for immigration either on a traffic stop or for a call for service,” Allen said.
He added that the sheriff’s office had previously declined requests from federal immigration authorities to use county facilities. “We did not assist them because they wanted to have a briefing at our substation, which we won’t allow on county property,” he said.