By Maribel Velazquez
He Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a federal lawsuit against the state of New Mexico and the city of Albuquerque for considering that their local policies interfere with the application of immigration laws promoted by the president’s government Donald Trump.
The complaint, filed in the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico, also includes the governor Michelle Lujan Grishamto the general state prosecutor Raul Torrez and the mayor of Albuquerque Timothy Keller.
The DOJ argues that the implementation of Law HB9, known as the “Immigrant Security Law,” as well as the municipal ordinance called “Safe Outdoor Spaces Ordinance,” limits cooperation between local authorities and federal agents in charge of immigration operations.
According to the US government, these provisions make it difficult for federal authorities to use local public facilities for immigration-related tasks and also force certain private businesses to alert undocumented people about operations of immigration control.
“New Mexico is trying to streamline immigration policy, something that the Constitution clearly and exclusively grants to the federal government,” declared the deputy attorney general. Brett A. Shumatemember of the Civil Division of the Department of Justice.
The official added that the lawsuit seeks “preserve cooperation among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies” and ensure that immigration authorities can enforce the law.
For his part, Ryan Ellison, first assistant federal prosecutor for the District of New Mexico, accused state and municipal authorities of “intentionally obstruct” the application of legislation federal immigration.
Ellison stated that The measures promoted in New Mexico could affect historic agreements of collaboration between local and federal agencies, in addition to putting at risk jobs and economic activities linked to immigration detention centers in the state.
The lawsuit is part of the strategy promoted by the Trump administration against the calls “sanctuary jurisdictions”, cities and states that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
According to the official statement, the DOJ began in February 2025 to identify state and local policies that, in its opinion, facilitate violations of immigration laws or interfere with federal operations.
In August of the same year, Albuquerque was included in a list of sanctuary jurisdictions prepared by the federal government.
Until now, New Mexico authorities have not issued an official position detailed information about the claim. The case remains open and, according to the Department of Justice itself, the accusations presented have not yet been proven in court.
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