Immigrants' Rights

The tragedy of 9/11 and an increasingly hostile attitude towards immigrants, have lead to increased civil rights violations within this community. The ACLU has been one of the nation's leading advocates for the rights of immigrants, refugees and non-citizens, challenging unconstitutional laws and practices, and countering the myths upon which many of these laws are based.

ACLU of New Mexico Southern Regional Office & Border Rights Project
Defending and Advancing the Cause of Basic Freedoms Throughout the Borderlands

The ACLU of New Mexico maintains two regional offices: the Southern Office in Las Cruces and Northern Office in Santa Fe. Both offices work in support and furtherance of the mission of the ACLU of NM through education of local communities about civil liberties and constitutional rights, investigation of reports of civil liberties violations and working with state and local governments to promote and safeguard civil liberties for the public at large. The Southern Regional Office is also the home of the Border Rights Project.
Border Rights Project

The Border Rights Project provides outreach and public education services to the immigrant communities of Las Cruces and southern New Mexico, as well as to the general public about issues affecting the immigrant population. Through “Know Your Rights” presentations, we inform immigrant groups about their civil and constitutional rights, which are vulnerable to abuse under the current climate. We also provide education and information to the general public to dispel myths about immigration and to promote understanding of those constitutional rights which extend to all who reside within the United States. We seek to protect and safeguard those rights by investigating reports of related abuses and seek the best means of redress or resolution.

Our Work
 Public Education
 “Know Your Rights” Trainings
 Policy Advocacy
 Resource & Referral
 Documentation & Investigation of Civil Rights Violations

Key Areas of Concern
 Racial Profiling & Racial Justice
 Anti-Immigrant Laws & Ordinances
 Militarization of the Border
 Civil Rights Violations by Authorities
 Due Process in Detention & Removal
 Local Law Enforcement of Federal Immigration Law

Related Links

Download the Know Your Rights Pamphlet - English (PDF)

(05-21-08) ACLU Defends Border Patrol Agents for Exposing Practice of ‘Shotgunning’
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New Mexico today filed suit against U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) authorities on behalf of two CBP agents who were suspended from duty after speaking out against the agency’s practice of “shotgunning traffic”--i.e., randomly stopping vehicles without reasonable suspicion.  Agents Juan Curbelo and William Leafstone, Jr. have worked for the CBP for 12 years.  Continued>>

(04-09-08) MALDEF, ACLU and Otero County Sheriff's Department Resolve Civil Rights Suit
Sheriff’s Department Agrees to Revise Operational Procedures Concerning Immigrants
MALDEF and the ACLU of New Mexico today announced a landmark settlement with the Otero County Sheriff’s Department that addresses what plaintiffs alleged were civil rights violations committed by county deputies during immigration sweeps last September in the southern New Mexico town of Chaparral.  Civil rights advocates say the agreement will help restore community trust in local law enforcement and greatly improve the safety of all people living in the County. Continued>>

(10-17-07) Families Sue Otero County Sheriffs Over Illegal Immigration Raids Civil rights groups say sheriffs “broke trust” with community
Civil rights groups sued the Otero County Sheriff’s Department today for civil rights violations committed during immigration sweeps last September in the southern New Mexico town of Chaparral.  On behalf of five Latino families, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New Mexico charged sheriff’s deputies with raiding homes without search warrants, interrogating families without evidence of criminal activity, and targeting households on the basis of race and ethnicity.  The groups seek monetary damages and guarantees that the sheriff’s department will refrain from such raids in the future. Continued>>

(10-16-07) MALDEF and ACLU to Announce Response to Otero County Immigration Raids
The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) and the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico will make an important announcement about collaborative efforts to defend the civil rights of Latino families in Chaparral, New Mexico. Continued>>

(09-14-07) ACLU Reacts to Sweeps of Border Immigrant Communities
The American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico condemned recent immigration raids by Otero and Doña Ana County Sheriff's deputies in the border towns of Chaparral and Vado today.  The local police agencies are assisting Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials to conduct sweeps of immigrant neighborhoods, knocking on doors and checking identification.  Authorities also are stopping motorists and entering private businesses. Continued>>

(06-20-08) Migrant Rights Advocate to Head New ACLU Border Office
The American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico has named Maria Nape as the Director of a new ACLU office, located in the border town of Las Cruces, New Mexico, which will defend civil rights, especially of immigrants, in the border region.  Nape has a law degree and years of experience advocating for the rights of migrant farmworkers. Continued>>

(03-19-08) Santa Fe Immigration Sweep Prompts ACLU Investigation
Questions surrounding recent immigration sweeps in Santa Fe motivated the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico to request all records surrounding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions in New Mexico. Continued>>