SANTA FE, NM – Today, New Mexico lawmakers introduced House Bill 9, the Immigrant Safety Act, a measure aimed at cutting New Mexico's ties to the federal immigration detention system. With well-documented human rights violations in detention centers and three deaths in custody since 2022, the bill seeks to prevent state and local governments from enabling a system that has consistently harmed immigrant communities.
The Immigrant Safety Act directly addresses how ICE operates in New Mexico by:
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Closing loophole that allows ICE and private detention contractors to use local governments to sidestep anti-corruption laws and scrutiny of their safety records.
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Blocking state and local agreements to detain people for federal immigration enforcement.
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Prohibiting the use of public land for immigration detention.
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Making it harder for ICE to expand or maintain detention facilities in the state.
For years, ICE has used local governments as pass-throughs for no-bid contracts with private detention operators, avoiding scrutiny and public oversight. The result has been a track record of abuse, including excessive use of solitary confinement, inadequate medical care, and preventable deaths.
Seven other states have already passed similar laws, recognizing that no detention is safe. New Mexico now has the opportunity to do the same—by passing HB 9, the state can take a stand against a system that undermines human dignity and due process.
HB 9 will now move through the legislative process, with hearings expected in the coming weeks.
“New Mexico is a place where we look out for one another, where family and community comes first,” said Victor Romero-Hernandez, Communications Manager at Innovation Law Lab. “The Immigrant Safety Act is about living up to those values, ensuring that no one in our state is subject to cruelty and injustice. We refuse to be complicit in a system that tears families apart and undermines the safety and dignity of our communities. This is a step toward a future where all New Mexicans, regardless of immigration status, can live without fear and thrive.”
“There is no jail or prison in the country that is safe for queer and trans people, and that has proven to be especially true in ICE detention centers. We must acknowledge that New Mexican values call us to protect LGBTQ people who live here, and that could not be more true when we talk about state land and resources being used to harm LGBTQ people who come here because it is safer than the place they are from. It is especially a New Mexican value to protect trans asylum seekers and immigrants.” Marshall Martinez, Executive Director at Equality New Mexico
“Most New Mexicans have shown time and time again that immigrants are welcome here. Unfortunately, our state has lagged behind and allowed private immigrant detention companies to propagate and grow in our communities. Our state must stop being complicit with Trump’s mass deportation plan. The Immigrant Safety Act offers the opportunity to take a strong stance in defending all communities.” Felipe Rodriguez, Co-Director at NM Dream Team.
"The devastating human rights record of immigration detention in New Mexico speaks for itself," said Rebecca Sheff, senior staff attorney at the ACLU of New Mexico. "The Immigrant Safety Act is a crucial step toward ending our state's involvement in a system that routinely violates basic human dignity and due process."
