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.

Latest Press Release


ACLU, Joined by State Legislators, Asks NM Supreme Court to Halt CYFD Directive Separating Newborns from Their Families

Emergency petition filed late Monday challenges directive that bypasses state and federal law and harms children.
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Stay informed on civil rights issues. Discover our latest actions and updates in the Press Release section.

Two signs that read "We build this country together" and "our families have no borders"

A New Phase in Civil Liberties Advocacy: Where We’ve Been and Where We’re Going

For decades, the ACLU of New Mexico has worked alongside communities to defend civil liberties and expand the promise of the constitution. Today, with fundamental freedoms under intensifying attack and the stakes for our democracy higher than ever, that work has never been more urgent.
A house with ristras hanging on the porch in New Mexico.

The 2026 Legislative Session: Creating A Firewall for Freedom in New Mexico

As we approach the 2026 legislative session, our nation is facing unprecedented threats to our fundamental freedoms. But we aren’t powerless against these attacks.
An image showing the group of panelists at the Rethinking Public Safety town hall in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Rethinking Public Safety Town Hall

The ACLU of New Mexico and the All Safe New Mexico Coalition came together on January 15 for a powerful “Rethinking Public Safety” Town Hall.

Smart Justice: Opening Doors and Breaking Down Barriers

On June 29, Franky Gonzales left the Bernalillo County Clerk’s office with tears streaming down his face.

By Barron Jones

Rory Wolf at the July BBQ hosted by Smart Justice NM in Albuquerque.

In Harm's Way

As renowned Native American artist Mateo Romero drove along Old Santa Fe Trail on a hot July day, he couldn’t have imagined that he’d soon be lying face down on the ground with a rifle pointed at his head.

By Katie Hoeppner

Mateo Romero working in his studio.

Hope in a Grim Environment

It was mid-May and Ramadan was just beginning. For weeks prior, Tremaine was consumed with worry that he and his friends would be denied participation in the holy month, a time when Muslims deepen their faith through fasting and communal prayer.

By Katie Hoeppner

Tremaine praying alongside fellow inmates

From the Desk of Executive Director Peter Simonson

First Merrick Garland’s stolen seat, now Kennedy’s retirement. It’s a one-two gut punch that has left those of us who treasure the cause of freedom and equality deeply distressed about the direction that the U.S. Supreme Court will almost certainly take for the better part of a generation. Assuming that Trump’s pick for Kennedy’s replacement, Judge Brett Kavanaugh, is confirmed by the Republican-held Senate, the court will have a clear 5-4 majority of justices who are likely to be consistently hostile to reproductive freedom, LGBTQ+ rights, voting rights, privacy rights, immigrants’ rights, and the plight of the poor.

By Peter Simonson

photo of a a man from the shoulders up wearing a blue shirt, tie, and black jacket

Cruelty Without Boundary: Inside the Family Separation Crisis

"The agents didn’t say anything about where they were going to take my son,” said Samuel*, from behind a glass partition. “They just took him away. And then they told me I was going to jail. I’ve never been to jail. This has never happened before.”

By Kristin Greer Love

Young child grabbing his parent's leg, crying

Open to the Public Still Means Open to All

An Interview with ACLU-NM Attorney Erin Armstrong on the Supreme Court’s Decision in Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado

US Supreme Court

Paul Haidle on Smart Justice

"I believe that there can be no reconciliation without admitting hard truths about the roots of our criminal justice system..."

Paul Haidle

A Chance For Change: Ideas for criminal justice reform in New Mexico are stewing this summer ahead of next year's legislative session

Nine years after his release from prison, Barron Jones has become a leading advocate for criminal justice reform in New Mexico.

Barron Jones

Constitutional Rights Are Not the Enemy of Public Safety

It was a waking nightmare for Joy Morales. For 49 days, she languished behind bars in two separate states for a crime she didn’t commit. She could easily prove it wasn’t her, but no one would listen.

By Katie Hoeppner

US Constitution