New Mexico Immigrant Safety Act: Signed into law on February 5, 2026, this act protects mixed-status families from surveillance and detention while accessing public lands and parks.
As of February 5, 2026, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed the Immigrant Safety Act (House Bill 9) into law. The legislation is designed to end New Mexico’s involvement in federal civil immigration detention and protect immigrant and mixed-status families across the state.
Key provisions of the act include:
- Public Land Protections: Prohibits the sale or leasing of public property for immigration detention purposes. Supporters noted this allows families to enjoy public lands, parks, and the outdoors without fear of surveillance or detention.
- Ending Detention Contracts: Bans state and local governments from entering into, renewing, or extending agreements with federal agencies like ICE to detain individuals for civil immigration violations.
- Terminating 287(g) Agreements: Prohibits local law enforcement from being deputized to perform federal immigration functions.
- Preserving Criminal Authority: Explicitly maintains the authority of local law enforcement to conduct lawful investigative stops (Terry stops) and arrests for criminal charges under state law.
The act passed with a 24-15 vote in the New Mexico Senate before being signed at a ceremony in Santa Fe. While it does not immediately close current facilities in Torrance, Cibola, and Otero counties, it mandates the termination of existing intergovernmental service agreements at their earliest permissible date.
