News & Commentary

Kesley Vial

Kesley’s Legacy: Why No Detention is Safe

After three long years of litigation, the private prison company CoreCivic paid a settlement to the wrongful death estate of Kesley Vial, a 23-year-old Brazilian asylum seeker who died by suicide while in ICE custody at the Torrance County Detention Facility (TCDF) in Estancia, New Mexico, in August of 2022.

Latest Press Release

Jul 1, 2026

Billboards Celebrate NM Civil Rights Act Fifth Anniversary

To commemorate the five-year anniversary of the New Mexico Civil Rights Act (NMCRA), the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New Mexico has placed five billboards praising the landmark law across Albuquerque.
A billboard that says "The NM Civil Rights Act turns five. Justice never gets old" with a "Welcome to New Mexico" sign on it.

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Stay informed on civil rights issues. Discover our latest actions and updates in the Press Release section.

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New Mexico Must Keep Its Promise on Civil Rights

Five years ago, New Mexico made a promise. When our state passed the New Mexico Civil Rights Act, we declared that the rights guaranteed by the New Mexico Constitution meant something.
A graphic showing hot air ballons, a person holding their arms out towards a sunrise, and a sunset with painted clouds behind a silhouetted road sign.

The Case for Investing in New Mexico's Youth

The ACLU of New Mexico, along with partners, is prioritizing holistic solutions in juvenile justice — because we know these are the approaches that are safest and most effective for our communities.

Dec 02, 2022

Immigrant Rights Advocates Call For Investigation Into Mental Healthcare Crisis In Torrance County Detention Facility 

Immigrant rights organizations and direct legal service providers sent a letter to the ICE Health Service Corps on Friday requesting an urgent investigation into a worsening medical and mental healthcare crisis at the Torrance County Detention Facility. 

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Nov 23, 2022

“Keep Our Families Together”: A Law That Protects Native Families is at Risk

Two Native people share how the Indian Child Welfare Act impacted their lives as the law faces a challenge at the Supreme Court.

A woman holding a child.
Nov 21, 2022

Biden Administration Issues Policy Protecting Access to Abortion for Unaccompanied Immigrant Youth

We applaud this step, and urge the administration to ensure access to reproductive health care for all people in government custody.

Three women with raised fists, wearing masks with "BAN OFF OUR BODIES" printed on them and carrying a purple banner, lead other protestors at the Women's March Rally For Abortion Justice In Washington, D.C.
Oct 13, 2022

The US Government Gave Them Protection. Now It May Take It Away.

People with TPS humanitarian status call on Biden to take action.

A compelation photo of the TPS holders.
Oct 06, 2022

Hidden Taxes Don't Belong Anywhere, Least of All in Our Justice System

Fees in the justice system trap far too many people in a vicious cycle of debt and punishment. A burgeoning movement in states across the country is tackling this problem head-on.

A judges' gavel on a U.S. dollar cash background, top view, close-up.
Oct 04, 2022

Midterm Elections: How These Offices Impact Your Rights

Elected officials don’t have the final say when it comes to our rights — we do. Let the ACLU help you step into your power at the ballot box!

A red background containing white and gold stars, a large image of a hand with pen filling out a voting slip, white arrows, fill-in bubbles and the Capitol building.
Sep 28, 2022

How to Navigate Mental Health Apps That May Share Your Data

As period-tracking apps draw scrutiny, we should also consider how a broader array of health apps may intrude on our privacy.

Image of Talkspace app on a smartphone on a white background.
Sep 21, 2022

Newly Released Video Show NMCD Guards Looking on as Person in Custody Is Assaulted

Surveillance video from the Central New Mexico Corrections Facility in Los Lunas show guards standing by as an incarcerated man is brutally attacked, raising troubling concerns about the well-being of people in the custody of the New Mexico Corrections Department.

By Barron Jones

A prison guard watches as a person is assaulted in CNMCF.
Sep 16, 2022

A Look at History: Civil Liberties Are on the Ballot

Elections in 1968, 2000, and 2016 prompted significant rollbacks of civil liberties. We can’t repeat history in 2022.

Voting booths lined up at polling station during in a public school in Brooklyn, New York.