LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Immigrant rights groups and allies lauded the passage today of a City of Las Cruces resolution (5-2) that affirms and strengthens the city’s commitment to protecting immigrant communities from discrimination and harassment. The groups called the law an important act of leadership during these times of unprecedented threats to immigrant families.
The resolution prioritizes public safety and human dignity by ensuring city resources go towards community needs rather than sowing fear and division. It codifies policies already implemented by the city to ensure city resources, like the Las Cruces Police Department, are not voluntarily utilized for federal immigration enforcement raids and mass deportations unless required by law.
The resolution also provides protections for all residents’ sensitive personal information, affirms the city’s commitment to uphold residents’ constitutional rights, and prioritizes transparency and accountability in city operations.
“All of us want to feel safe in our communities, but Trump’s deliberate attacks that terrorize and vilify our immigrant neighbors completely erode our public safety,” said Johana Bencomo, mayor pro tem and city councilor for District 4 of the City of Las Cruces. “Las Cruces will continue to fight back against the president's attempt to divide our community. Together we can ensure that everyone—from the family who has been here for generations to the one who just arrived—has stable housing, good jobs, and safe, thriving neighborhoods."
“The Las Cruces Welcoming City resolution is reflective of our values as New Mexicans: inclusivity, respect, and unity. We are grateful for New Mexico's state leadership and the many local officials who are standing up to Trump's mass detention campaign,” said Tatiana Prieto, policy advocate with the ACLU of New Mexico. “We urge all municipalities to push back against harmful policies by enacting similar legislation, acknowledging the urgent need for state-level protections. We must commit to protecting the rights, dignity, and safety of all people in New Mexico."
The following quote can be attributed to the New Mexico Dream Team: “Las Cruces has been a leader in putting a people-first approach when it comes to housing, healthcare access, services like public transportation and community infrastructure. The introduction of the Welcoming Community Resolution reaffirms that Las Cruces is a city that loves immigrants, mixed-status families, and people of color and will take the proactive steps to support them. We wholeheartedly support the Las Cruces City Council in the passage of this resolution.”
The following quote can be attributed to the Doña Ana County NAACP: "We support the 'Las Cruces Welcoming City' resolution because it represents a meaningful commitment to inclusion, respect, and dignity for everyone in our community. By embracing diversity and rejecting discrimination, the resolution fosters a sense of belonging for all residents, regardless of their background. Supporting this initiative is a way to demonstrate that our city values fairness and strives to create a safe, supportive environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. We are proud to support the Welcoming City resolution and encourage others to join in the effort to create a safe community for everyone."
"By passing this updated Welcoming Community resolution, the Las Cruces City Council is taking a big step towards making our city a place where everyone feels safe and supported. This isn't just about policy—it's about reaffirming our values as a community that values respect, kindness, and fairness for all. As a border community, for our people in Las Cruces to thrive, we need to ensure that everyone can access the resources they need without fear of persecution or harassment. This resolution does just that, and it's a huge win for our community,” said Renée Beltran, coordinator of the New Mexico Civic Engagement Table and resident of Mesilla.
The resolution was supported by several community advocates and local organizations, including the ACLU of New Mexico, Bold Futures NM, the Center for Civic Policy, the League of Women Voters, the NAACP of Las Cruces, New Mexico Comunidades en Acción y de Fe (NM CAFe), New Mexico Dream Team and New Mexico Immigrant Law Center.
