New Mexico Habeas Project
When the government detains someone unlawfully, a single legal filing can bring them home.
Habeas corpus is one of the oldest rights in our legal system — the right to challenge your detention before a judge. But for thousands of noncitizens locked in immigration detention facilities across New Mexico, that right means nothing without an attorney to enforce it.
The New Mexico Habeas Project changes that.
What We Do
We connect unlawfully detained noncitizens in New Mexico with pro bono attorneys who file habeas corpus petitions on their behalf in federal court. If the court finds the detention is unlawful, it can order immediate release or a bond hearing — returning people to their families and communities.
As mass detentions accelerate across the country, the need has never been more urgent. Hundreds of habeas petitions have already been filed in New Mexico since 2025. Behind every one is a person who deserves their day in court.
Attorneys: New Mexico Needs You
The New Mexico Habeas Project is looking for attorneys willing to take on pro bono habeas cases. Here's what you should know:
- You do not need experience in immigration or habeas law.
- You will not be expected to represent clients in their underlying immigration cases.
- You do need to be an attorney in good standing with the federal District of New Mexico, and you need to be willing to stand between a person and unlawful detention.
We provide full training and ongoing technical assistance for every case. You will never be on your own.
Training and Resources
The New Mexico Habeas Project offers a complete teaching curriculum and resource library to prepare you for representation. Access everything you need before you take your first case.
Who We Are
The New Mexico Habeas Project is a collaboration between the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center, the ACLU of New Mexico, and Innovation Law Lab — three organizations with deep roots in immigrant rights and civil liberties advocacy in New Mexico and beyond.
New Mexico has already taken strong action against mass detention with the passage of the Immigrant Safety Act. The Habeas Project goes further, building the infrastructure to ensure that when our neighbors are detained, they have access to the legal representation that can set them free.