News & Commentary

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

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

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.

Nov 25, 2024

Watch our 2024 Annual Meeting

Did you miss our 2024 Annual Meeting? Watch the full meeting above. Our team gave an update of the work over the past year and then we looked ahead to the work to come in 2025 as a second Trump administration comes into office.

Oct 31, 2024

My Fight Against City-Sanctioned Intimidation

Community organizer Justin Allen witnessed firsthand how Albuquerque City workers tried to intimidate and silence people who stand up for our unhoused neighbors.

Oct 24, 2024

Defending Student Voices in the Face of Repression

As New Mexican student protestors have attempted to open dialogues within their universities, they have been met with unwilling administrators and police officers in riot gear.

stock image of young people raising fists in the air with illegible signs of protest in the background

Oct 15, 2024

Disguising Punishment As Treatment Won’t Make Us Safe

To build a truly safe world, we need investments in healing, not new forms of harm.

By Denali Wilson

An overhead view of a solitary jail cell with a single metal bed frame and a thin mattress. The cell includes a basic toilet and sink, all enclosed within the bare, confined space, evoking a stark and austere atmosphere.

Oct 10, 2024

Breaking Bosque School’s Silence on Racism Within Its Walls

I want to see Bosque School become a high-quality place of learning where every single student, regardless of identity, is embraced, valued, and honored.

Oct 02, 2024

How an Albuquerque Traffic Stop Cost Me Everything

No one should ever have to worry about the police trying to extort money from them and ruin their lives.

Sep 29, 2024

New Mexico Votes 2024

Election day is November 5, 2024. To vote in New Mexico, you must be registered to vote.

Sep 20, 2024

Passing the Torch at the ACLU of New Mexico

After 24 years as Executive Director, Peter Simonson is stepping down from executive leadership at the ACLU of New Mexico.

By Peter Simonson

Aug 20, 2024

How a Harris Administration Could Chart a New Course for Immigration Reform

The ACLU urges a potential Harris-Walz administration to deliver on its campaign promise to create a clear pathway to citizenship for longtime residents while also moving to end harmful detention policies and improve asylum access.

A graphic featuring Harris and imagery pertaining to immigration.

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