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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.

Latest Press Release


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.

More from the Press


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


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.
Black-and-white photo of an LGBTQ rights picket on a tree-lined sidewalk beside a tall iron fence (near the White House). Protesters—mostly in suits and dresses—carry hand-lettered signs including “FIFTEEN MILLION U.S. HOMOSEXUALS PROTEST FEDERAL TREATMENT,” “FIRST-CLASS CITIZENSHIP FOR HOMOSEXUALS,” and “SEXUAL PREFERENCE IS IRRELEVANT TO EMPLOYMENT.” A uniformed police officer stands with hands on hips facing the group, while an ABC TV reporter in a suit holds a microphone at the curb; pedestrians walk past in the background.

Trump Administration Playbook Takes Tactics from Lavender Scare of the Cold War

A McCarthy-era effort to report LGBTQ people to the government, classify queerness as a mental disorder, and overall push queer people from public life is taking similar shape today.
Various photos representing this years legislative session including the statue of liberty, a family, and protesters.

Rising to the Moment: A Breakthrough 30‑Day Session for Civil Liberties

This year's legislative session saw ACLU of New Mexico staff, community partners, advocates, and legislative champions showed up ready to work, and ready to lead with courage.


We Deserve Better Than Outdated Posturing About Crime

Legislators fail to engage evidence-based solutions that would make the state safer for everyone.

By Barron Jones, Denali Wilson

New Mexico Roundhouse

Border Patrol Interior Checkpoints Are a Cruel and Pointless Burden on Borderland Residents

New Mexico’s legalization of cannabis for recreational adult use has reminded all borderland residents of a fact our Latinx, Indigenous and Black neighbors have known for decades: Border Patrol checkpoints are cruel, pointless and serve to harass residents going about their lives.

By Nia Rucker

Border Patrol Interior Checkpoint

10 Books Politicians Don’t Want You to Read

Read about some of the books that have most recently been banned or challenged for removal across public schools and libraries in our ‘ACLU Banned Book Club Reading List’.

By ACLU National

An ACLU bookmark sticking out of a book.

Five Things to Know About the Title 42 Immigrant Expulsion Policy

Since March 2020, the government has misused the order to kick out people seeking asylum more than 1.7 million times.

By Leonardo Castañeda, Katie Hoeppner

Billboard saying "It's past time to end the Trump-era policies at the border"

The War on Drugs Failed — Lawmakers Must Meet the Fentanyl Crisis With New Solutions

We must not return to the failed, punitive policies that do not improve public safety or save lives.

By ACLU National

A photo of prison bars.

If You Care About Freedom, You Should Be Asking Why We Don’t Fund Our Public Defender Systems

Four out of five criminal defendants can’t afford a lawyer, but in many places, the system promised to them by our state and federal constitutions is chronically in crisis.

By ACLU National

A statue of Lady Justice with a stack of books in the background.

Three Key Problems with the Government’s Use of a Flawed Facial Recognition Service

Forcing people to use private ID-verification to access tax accounts or other government services raises serious privacy and equity issues.

The U.S. Internal Revenue Service headquarters in Washington.

The Most Racist Supreme Court Cases You’ve Probably Never Heard Of

Why does the Biden administration's Department of Justice continue to rely on cases that presume people in the territories are “alien races” composing “savage tribes”?

By ACLU National

A view of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Your Guide to Talking About Attacks on Trans Youth

Misinformation is fueling an attack on trans youth in state legislatures. These attacks overwhelmingly focus on youth and schools. They try to make being trans shameful — but they won’t stop youth from being trans.

A photo featuring activist, drag queen and tv personality Peppermint with the title Tough Conversations With Peppermint.