Image of Juan holding his daughter

A New Mexican Father Was Ripped Away From His Family After This New Mexico Agency Illegally Coordinated With ICE

Juan Lamas Aguilar has been held at the Torrance County Detention Facility since July 10.

Latest Press Release


Trial in Wrongful Death Case of Kesley Vial Will Not Proceed

The wrongful death trial on behalf of the estate of Kesley Vial, scheduled to begin Monday, January 5, 2026, in First Judicial District Court will not proceed.
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Stay informed on civil rights issues. Discover our latest actions and updates in the Press Release section.

A road sign showing the Rio Arriba county line with Lybrook elementary just beyond it.

Locked Out: When School Boards Exclude Native Representation

At a small school district in northwestern New Mexico, many Navajo parents cannot run for local school board or vote in the school district’s elections where their children go to school. 
Dark blue collage image of GuJuan, featuring a recent photo of him along with a childhood picture in various color filters

Beyond the Concrete Box: Gujuan Fusilier’s Story

This blog is the third of a series based on interviews with three men currently held in the Penitentiary of New Mexico who are part of a class action lawsuit challenging the inhumane and unconstitutional conditions of New Mexico’s long-term solitary confinement unit.

By Lalita Moskowitz

Stylized image of plantiffs in front of a dark green background, a silhouette of a man sitting down on pavement looking distressed is centered in the photo stylized in green.

Beyond the Concrete Box: Human Stories from Solitary

This blog is the first of a series based on interviews with Mah-konce Hudson, GuJuan Fusilier, and O'Shay Toney, who are currently held in the Penitentiary of New Mexico.

By Lalita Moskowitz

Albuquerque Journal Gets It Wrong: SB 196 Would Create Clarity, Not Chaos With Law Enforcement

Why creating a bright line between local police and federal immigration agents, would be a boon for law and order — not a cause for chaos.

By Peter Simonson

ICE

Governor Does Right by New Mexico's Border Towns

New Mexico has enjoyed a rare moment in the national spotlight as Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham broke through walls both literal and metaphorical in a recent viral campaign ad she released earlier this month, shortly after announcing she would withdraw most of the National Guard troops ordered to the border by President Donald Trump last year.What was important about this moment for New Mexicans, e

By Nia Rucker

southern border

No Solace in Solitary: It’s Long Past Time to Reform New Mexico’s Over-Reliance On A Brutal Practice

Kelly Garcia left Northwest New Mexico Correctional Center nearly six years ago, but sometimes, in her dreams, she finds herself back in a familiar cell. She’s trapped by the same four concrete walls and that same long lonely silence which was pierced only by the occasional cries of inmates worn down by solitude.

By Katie Hoeppner

Kelly Garcia at New Mexico State Capitol.

Susan's Story - #WillNotBeErased

All too often, transgender people face discrimination in employment. Even with some legal protections in place, trans people like Susan face the prospect of unemployment and discrimination when coming out at work.

Susan's Story - #WillNotBeErased

Living in Limbo: A dispatch from the frontlines of our fight against indefinite detention

“Every day you get tired from thinking, ‘Am I going to be released after one month, two months, three months?’ But every day it’s ‘tomorrow’ and it’s never finished.”

By Katie Hoeppner

Otero County Processing Center

Out of the Shadows: How the ACLU of New Mexico helped expose and regulate APD’s highly secretive and invasive surveillance technology

The Stingray doesn’t need eyes to hunt. The flat, boneless fish uses special sensors to detect the electrical signals of surrounding prey. Then, it attacks—sucking its meal up from underneath its body.

graphic of cell towers

Faith Leaders Speak Out: Religious Freedom is Not a License to Discriminate

An Interview with the Rev. Liz McMaster

Rev. Liz McMaster

The Future We Believe In

A bold plan to transform the landscape of freedom in the post-Martinez era

By Peter Simonson

Women holding a sign that says "Women Resist"

Conozca Sus Derechos en Puestos de Control Interiores

Si usted se encuentra en un retén interior, sabe que tiene derechos.

Border Checkpoint - Still