 Immigration, along with the American ideals of equality, fairness and social tolerance have built the political, economic and cultural strength of this country from colonial days to the present. Yet, virtually every group of newcomers—from the Germans, Irish and Italians to the Chinese and others—has faced discrimination, hostility and stereotyping from those already here. The tensions between today’s newest immigrants and established residents are much the same.
Regardless of one’s views on U.S. immigration policy, the fundamental civil liberties protections of the Bill of Rights and the U.S. Constitution protect every person in this country—including noncitizens. The government can legitimately control its borders, but the power to exclude and deport people must be exercised fairly and consistently, subject to our constitutional norms and U.S. obligations under international law.
Because of New Mexico’s unique position as a border state, the protection of immigrants’ rights from unlawful police practices is a top strategic priority for the ACLU of New Mexico.
- Learn about our campaign to stop enforcement of federal immigration laws by local police in order to restore trust between communities and the local law enforcement agencies that protect them in the Summer 2008 issue of The Torch.
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