HB 328 prohibits New Mexico state funds from being used to support joint law enforcement operations between local agencies and federal officers who conceal their identities during enforcement. It directly affects state and local law enforcement agencies receiving public safety funding, banning such partnerships while allowing exceptions for sanctioned undercover operations, SWAT teams, and explosive disposal. Violators face triple damages, fines of $5,000-$10,000 per violation, and legal costs, with a "qui tam" provision enabling private citizens to sue on behalf of the state and share in recovered funds. The bill aims to prevent state money from subsidizing covert federal operations without requiring proof of fraud.
HB 124 creates a New Americans Division within New Mexico's Workforce Solutions Department to support immigrants and refugees in the state's workforce. The division will help with job training, streamline license recognition for internationally trained professionals, and connect businesses with immigrant talent. It must report annually on its activities and refugee resettlement impacts, with an initial report due December 2026. This bill directly affects non-citizen residents and refugee resettlement programs in New Mexico.
SB 80 amends New Mexico's Family Violence Protection Act by expanding and updating the legal definition of "abuse" (replacing "domestic abuse"). The bill adds specific examples to the definition, including digital harassment, harm to animals, threats about immigration status, unauthorized sharing of private images, and harm to children. It explicitly clarifies that courts may include provisions protecting a victim's animals in orders of protection. This change directly affects victims seeking protection orders, courts issuing those orders, and law enforcement handling domestic violence cases under the updated definition.
SB 40, the "Driver Privacy and Safety Act," limits how law enforcement and private entities can share automated license plate reader (ALPR) data. It prohibits sharing ALPR information for immigration enforcement, investigating protected health care activities (like reproductive or gender-affirming care), or targeting constitutionally protected speech. The law makes ALPR data confidential (not public record), requires court orders for private data sales, and mandates quarterly reports to the attorney general on out-of-state data requests. Violations can result in $10,000 fines per incident.
HB 9, the Immigrant Safety Act, prohibits New Mexico state and local government entities - including sheriffs' departments, schools, and public agencies - from entering into agreements or using public property to detain individuals for federal immigration enforcement. It requires existing agreements facilitating such detentions to be terminated upon the law's effective date. The bill specifically bans public bodies from collaborating with federal immigration authorities on detention and ensures local policies align with these restrictions. Currently passed by both legislative chambers, it awaits the governor's signature to become law.
SB 31, the U Visa Certification Act, creates a standardized process for New Mexico victims of serious crimes (like domestic violence, trafficking, or assault) to obtain state certification needed for federal U visas. It requires local law enforcement, prosecutors, and courts to process certification requests within 30 days (14 days for urgent cases) and provides clear appeal steps if denied. Victims must have assisted investigations, but certifications cannot be denied due to case closures or lack of convictions. The law specifies qualifying crimes, defines key terms, and mandates written explanations for denials to streamline access to federal immigration relief without altering U visa eligibility rules.
