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.

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Wrongful Death Case of Kesley Vial, 23-Year-Old Brazilian Asylum Seeker, Goes to Trial in New Mexico

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

Internal Border Patrol checkpoints threaten New Mexico’s cannabis equity goals

The checkpoints could hinder the participation of businesses in Southern New Mexico in the state's legal cannabis industry.

By Leonardo Castañeda

Interior Border Checkpoints Threaten New Mexico's Cannabis Equity Goals

Failed Inspections, Understaffing, and Big Profits

How private immigrant detention centers in New Mexico benefited during the pandemic.

By Leonardo Castañeda

Failed inspections, big profits

Q&A: What you need to know about MPP, the Trump-era migrant policy re-initiated by Biden

First rolled out by the Trump Administration, the so-called 'Remain in Mexico' policy for asylum seekers was re-initiated by President Joe Biden in December.

El Paso, Texas border wall between USA and Mexico running thru the desert.

ICE Makes It Impossible for Immigrants in Detention to Contact Lawyers

Immigration detention is inhumane, but so long as people are detained, ICE must ensure that detention facilities provide immigrants with timely access to counsel.

By ACLU National

Phone next to window used by visitors to prison to communicate with inmates behind glass.

Reopening ICE facility in Torrance County boosted CoreCivic revenues by nearly $19 million

The facility's reopening raised CoreCivic revenues by millions in 2020, but a failed annual inspection this year found severe understaffing, unsanitary food and other problems.

By Elsa Goossen

A screenshot of surveillance video taken shortly before men detained at the Torrance County were pepper sprayed for engaging in a peaceful hunger strike protesting conditions at the facility. Surveillance and lapel video was obtained by NMILC and ACLU fro

ICE found multiple contract violations at troubled Otero County detention center shortly before extending a lucrative private contract

The Otero County Processing Center was cited for violations including an inadequate staffing plan, inadequate food service staffing, abuse of the “Voluntary Work Program,” lack of a safety plan, and more.

By Leonardo Castañeda

Otero County Processing Center Photo

Border militarization separates families and erodes civil liberties

It’s past time we eliminate interior border checkpoints and drastically reduce the number of Border Patrol agents in the region.

By Maria Coronado

Warning no trespassing. Restricted area keep out. Authorized personnel only. U.S. Customs and Border protection sign.

A privately-run ICE detention center got a pay increase, guaranteed minimum during pandemic detention declines

The private prison company running Otero County's immigration detention center got a new agreement guaranteeing nearly $2 million a month after threatening to cancel its contract over low detention numbers.

By Leonardo Castañeda

Prison Hallway

Otero County claims ICE facility can't be closed due to bond debt. Experts disagree.

An Otero County official said closing a controversial ICE facility would leave taxpayers responsible for tens of millions in bond debt, but an expert review of financial documents paint a markedly different picture.

By Leonardo Castañeda

Otero County Processing Center Photo