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.

ACLU of New Mexico Applauds APD Policy Standardizing Firearms

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By Micah McCoy

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Know Your Rights Trainings for Transgender New Mexicans

Southwest Women's Law Center has teamed up with the Transgender Resource Center of New Mexico, the ACLU LGBT Project, and the ACLU of New Mexico to present Know Your Rights Trainings for transgender and gender non-conforming communities in New Mexico. We will be providing information about: 

By Micah McCoy

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Winners of ACLU’s “My Big Gay (Il)Legal Wedding” Contest to Wed in New Mexico

Texan couple to fly helicopter into New Mexico for dream wedding

By Micah McCoy

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DOJ: APD Has Pattern and Practice of Violating Rights with Excessive Force

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has released its findings after an exhaustive investigation into whether the the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) engages in a pattern or practice of constitutional violations. The full report is available online here. A summary of the top-line findings of the report are as follows:

By Micah McCoy

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ACLU: Federal Monitor Good First Step Towards Reforming APD

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By Micah McCoy

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ACLU Wins Settlement Against Roswell for Violating Christian Preachers’ Right to Free Speech

ROSWELL, NM—Today, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New Mexico settled its lawsuit against the City of Roswell, NM alleging that police officers repeatedly violated the First Amendment free speech rights of two local street preachers, Joshua and Jeremy De Los Santos. Joshua and Jeremy are brothers and members of the Old Paths Baptist Church in Roswell, where Joshua is the pastor. Both believe they have a duty to preach the Gospel in public, and both regularly do so. However, the Roswell Police Department (RPD) arrested both brothers multiple times for expressing their sincerely held religious beliefs in public, as is their right under the First Amendment. Under the terms of the settlement, the City of Roswell will pay $97,000 in compensatory and punitive damages. 

By Micah McCoy

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ACTION ALERT: Ask ABQ Mayor Berry to Reform APD

On Sunday, March 16, the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) sent a heavily armed unit to confront James Boyd, a homeless man who was "camping illegally" in the Sandia Foothills. The encounter ended with officers shooting and killing him. This is just the la

By Micah McCoy

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Why is U.S. Border Patrol Shooting Rock-Throwing Teenagers?

By Vicki B. Gaubeca, Director of the ACLU-NM Regional Center for Border Rights

By ACLU-NM

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Woman Sues Her Former Parole Officer for Violating Her Civil Rights

ACLU of New Mexico files lawsuit on behalf of Albuquerque woman who was sexually assaulted by her parole officer

By Micah McCoy

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