News & Commentary

Kesley Vial

Kesley’s Legacy: Why No Detention is Safe

After three long years of litigation, the private prison company CoreCivic paid a settlement to the wrongful death estate of Kesley Vial, a 23-year-old Brazilian asylum seeker who died by suicide while in ICE custody at the Torrance County Detention Facility (TCDF) in Estancia, New Mexico, in August of 2022.

Latest Press Release

Jul 1, 2026

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

Placeholder image

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

Placeholder image

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.
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.

Jun 07, 2011

ACLU-NM Sues City of Albuquerque to Force Redistricting

Current ABQ City Council Districts ALBUQUERQUE, NM – Today, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New Mexico filed a lawsuit in state district court, demanding that the City of Albuquerque reverse its decision to postpone redistricting until after the upcoming city council elections in Octo

By Micah McCoy

Jun 06, 2011

NM Veteran Alleges Racial Discrimination in National Guard

SPC Adam Jarrell in AfghanistanALBUQUERQUE, NM – Today

By Micah McCoy

ajarrell.jpg
May 27, 2011

VIDEO: ACLU-NM Helps Clovis Students Form GSA

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URke97k9lgE

By Micah McCoy

Clovis-thumb.jpg
May 25, 2011

Fear-Mongering on the Border Makes Us Less Secure

Tania Chozet, Policy Advocate On May 11, a rancher in Hudspeth County shot two men, a father and son, whom he alleges were trespassing. The victims explained they took a

By ACLU-NM

bordershooting_feature.jpg
May 16, 2011

Einstein Bagel Bros.

By ACLU-NM

Einstein-Bagel-Bros.-logo.jpeg
May 11, 2011

ACLU-NM Charges Española Hospital with Religious Discrimination

Sahaj KhalsaESPAÑOLA, NM – Today, t

By Micah McCoy

Khalsa.jpg
May 10, 2011

Justice Department Asks Court To Throw Out Case Challenging Discriminatory Separation Pay Policy For Gay And Lesbian Veterans

By Micah McCoy

May 10, 2011

ACLU-NM Regional Center for Border Rights Calls on Obama to Abandon Its Damaging Enforcement-Only Border Policy

—     30  —

By Micah McCoy

Placeholder image
May 05, 2011

Clovis Municipal Schools Approve Gay-Straight Alliance

James Walker (L) and Steven de los Santos (R), Clovis High School seniors advocating for the formation of a GSA. CLOVIS, NM – Yesterday, in response to a legal demand letter sent by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New Mexico, Clovis Municipal Schools (CMS) announced that it approved students’ application for a gay-straight alliance (GSA). High school senior Steven De Los Santos first applied fo

By Micah McCoy