HOUSE DEMOCRATS NEWS RELEASE

The House of Representatives passed vital legislation Friday to prohibit state-funded entities from detaining individuals for civil immigration violations in federal mass deportation efforts, by a vote of 35-25. 

HB 9 bans state agencies, local governments, commissions, school districts, colleges, universities, and any other state taxpayer-funded bodies from continuing or entering into new contracts to facilitate civil detention of immigrants. The bill would not interfere with law enforcement’s authority to detain individuals for investigatory purposes.

“Immigrants are essential to our workforce, economy, culture, and communities in New Mexico,” said lead sponsor Rep. Eleanor Chávez (D-Albuquerque). “New Mexicans understand that Trump’s mass deportations would create a humanitarian crisis and upend our economy. We are stepping up to protect our people and prevent our state resources from being used to harm our communities.”

HB 9 now heads to the Senate. The bill is also sponsored by Reps. Angelica Rubio (D-Las Cruces), Andrea Romero (D-Santa Fe), Marianna Anaya (D-Albuquerque), and Christine Chandler (D-Los Alamos).