Legislation is part of House Democrats' slate of bills to ensure all New Mexicans feel safe in their communities

Santa Fe, N.M. – The Immigrant Safety Act, which would prevent New Mexico state and local governments from contracting with federal Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain individuals for civil immigration violations, passed the House Judiciary Committee today by a vote of 7 to 4. House Bill 9  now heads to the House Floor. 

"The Immigrant Safety Act will get our state out of the business of detaining innocent people in deplorable conditions," said lead sponsor Rep. Eleanor Chávez (D-Albuquerque). "As the federal government ramps up its draconian mass deportation efforts and as we see horrific violence at the hands of ICE agents in Minnesota, it's more important than ever that we take a stand as a state to say we won't allow this in our backyard." 

Bill sponsors also include Reps. Angelica Rubio (D-Las Cruces), Andrea Romero (D-Santa Fe), Marianna Anaya (D-Albuquerque), andSenator Joseph Cervantes (D-Las Cruces). The Immigrant Safety Act was previously passed by the House in 2025, but died in the Senate. Lawmakers are hopeful the legislation has the bicameral support needed to make it to the Governor's desk this session. 

The committee adopted an amendment to HB 9 today that would also prohibit state and local governments from entering into agreements to deputize local officers or employees to perform immigration functions. The bill would not interfere with law enforcement's authority to detain individuals for criminal charges or investigatory purposes. 

"As a state, we have the power to say we will not be complicit in President Trump's mass deportation machine and an industry that profits off of the suffering of our friends and neighbors," said co-sponsor Rep. Angelica Rubio (D-Las Cruces). "As the daughter of immigrants, I'm incredibly proud to support this legislation and ready to turn the page on this dark chapter in our state."   

HB 9 is one of several bills House Democrats have introduced this session to ensure all New Mexicans feel safe in their communities. A non-comprehensive list of these legislative priorities is below. 

The Roundhouse will be open to the public for the entirety of this year's 30-day session. Members of the public can also view floor sessions and committee meetings on the New Mexico Legislature's Webcasts tab, and provide comment via phone or Zoom as directed on the daily schedule.   

Select Community Safety Priorities 

A non-comprehensive list of community safety investments and legislation that has or will be introduced by House Democrats this session includes: 

Preventing the state from contracting with private ICE detention facilities to detain innocent immigrants, through the Immigrant Safety Act (HB 9) 

Addressing the identification and accountability of federal ICE agents

Ensuring routine state surveillance data cannot be misused by ICE (SB 40, SB 53)

Addressing juvenile justice proactively, with age-appropriate accountability measures and improved services for at-risk youth

Implementing commonsense gun safety solutions, like closing loopholes that allow dangerous individuals to have access to firearms (HB 67, HB 25, HB 49)

Continuing investments in law enforcement and our communities to address root causes of crime (HB 2)

Increasing penalties for vehicular homicide while driving recklessly or carelessly (HB 162)

Combating human trafficking by requiring lodging facilities to display posters with hotline numbers and to train all staff on how to identity and report trafficking (HB 147)