Deb Haaland Responds to DOJ Lawsuit Against Albuquerque and New Mexico
Deb Haaland, a member of the Laguna Pueblo, has voiced strong opposition to a lawsuit initiated by the U.S. Department of Justice against the city of Albuquerque and the state of New Mexico. This legal action centers around policies designed to limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement bodies.
Announced on Thursday, the lawsuit challenges state and local measures that restrict coordination with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Haaland criticized the immigration policies of the Trump administration, emphasizing her commitment to safeguarding New Mexico’s immigrant communities.
“As ICE continues to threaten communities across America, states are the first line of defense against the Trump administration,” Haaland stated. “In New Mexico, we are fortunate our state and local governments have diligently worked to pass laws that protect New Mexicans and their families from ICE. We cannot permit the federal government to impose its will on New Mexico, nor can we allow it to intimidate us.”
Furthermore, she expressed her dedication to fighting against ICE’s actions that disrupt family lives and compromise community safety. “We are a multicultural nation,” she asserted, emphasizing unity and strength against external pressures. She affirmed her intention to push for meaningful immigration and border security reform as governor.
Haaland detailed several immigration policies she intends to pursue, which include limiting cooperation between ICE and state and local resources, prohibiting ICE officers from wearing masks while on duty, and mandating that they clearly identify their agency. Additionally, she pledged to restrict ICE operations within 500 yards of schools and near courthouses, government buildings, places of worship, healthcare facilities, public parks, and culturally significant sites during the academic year.
The former Secretary of the Interior also referenced her recent tour of the Cibola County ICE detention center, where she sought to understand the conditions faced by detainees. This visit reaffirmed her support for HB9, a proposed bill aimed at enhancing protections for immigrant communities in New Mexico.
Throughout her political career, Haaland has consistently advocated for the rights of immigrants and asylum seekers. She has opposed mass deportations of Dreamers and has called for an increase in immigration judges and officials to expedite case processing, addressing what she describes as a flawed immigration system.
