Race Day Live Rumors about unexpected raids by federal immigration officers have caused concern in New Mexico, but advocacy groups say no raids have been confirmed yet.
However, these raids could happen soon, according to Sophia Genovese from the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center.
She explained that ICE is still working through executive orders, so operations remain as usual for now. Even before these orders, ICE was conducting enforcement actions. Communities should stay alert and informed about their rights to prepare for any situation.
ICE’s office in El Paso and the Mexican Consulate in Albuquerque have not responded to questions regarding these concerns.
President Trump’s executive orders and his plans for mass deportations have increased fear, especially among people of color. Tribal leaders in New Mexico have also reported cases where federal officers questioned or detained tribal members.
The Mescalero Apache President, Thora Walsh Padilla, shared that an ICE agent recently approached a tribal member.
The person provided a driver’s license and tribal ID, which ended the encounter. Similarly, Navajo Nation Council members discussed reports of tribal members being harassed or detained by ICE. In one case, a Navajo citizen was held for nine hours.
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Council Delegate Carlito Slater expressed concern for Navajo elders who might lack proper documentation, like birth certificates when traveling off the reservation.
Advocacy groups are trying to confirm such incidents and investigate rumors. A widely shared story about a raid at the University of New Mexico Hospital turned out to involve another law enforcement agency.
Genovese said community coalitions are actively addressing rumors and helping communities stay informed. They encourage people to take photos, and videos, and ask questions if they suspect ICE activity. This helps protect immigrant communities from harm while verifying reports.
Despite no confirmed public immigration raids in New Mexico, changes in immigration court processes have added to the challenges.
Courts are moving cases faster, often skipping in-person hearings, which limits immigrants’ opportunities to defend themselves. Advocacy groups, already overwhelmed, are concerned about keeping up with these rapid changes.
Genovese emphasized the need for preparation and support, as the current situation is making legal assistance even harder to provide.
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