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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.

Latest Press Release


CoreCivic Pays Settlement to Estate of 23-Year-Old Asylum Seeker Who Died in Torrance County Detention Facility

The case addressed the TCDF’s systemic failures in its mental health care and CoreCivic’s extreme negligence, which resulted in Kesley Vial’s tragic and preventable death.
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Stay informed on civil rights issues. Discover our latest actions and updates in the Press Release section.

Doña Ana County Resolution Promotes Public Safety for All Residents

LAS CRUCES, NM—Today, the Doña Ana County Board of County Commissioners voted and passed a resolution establishing the county as a “Safe Community for All Residents.” The resolution joins Doña Ana County with countless communities across the nation, including major urban centers, which have passed similar resolutions stating that routine enforcement of federal immigration law is not the job of county employees.

By Micah McCoy

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ACLU and El Paso Hospital Settle Body Cavity Search Lawsuit for 1.1 Million

EL PASO, TX—The University Medical Center of El Paso and emergency room physicians have paid a New Mexico woman $1.1 million for their role in the traumatic body cavity searches she suffered at the facility, announced the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New Mexico and the ACLU of Texas today. The hospital has also agreed to review recent revisions to its internal policies governing law enforcement searches with ACLU lawyers. According to charges in a lawsuit filed in December of last year, medical professionals performed the highly invasive searches without a warrant at the behest of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents.“We are very pleased that the hospital has taken steps to alleviate the great wrong done to our client,” said ACLU of New Mexico cooperating attorney Laura Schauer Ives. “We hope this settlement will stand as a powerful

By Micah McCoy

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ACLU’s Report on Police Militarization Finds Weapons and Tactics of War Used Disproportionately Against People of Color

Report Shows Injustice, Suffering, Caused by SWAT Teams Deployed for Low-Level Police Work, Not Crises

By Micah McCoy

ACLU of New Mexico Condemns APD Spying on Protesters, Files Public Records Request for Surveillance Data

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By Micah McCoy

“APD Forward” Campaign to Reform Albuquerque Police Department Launched

ALBUQUERQUE, NM—Today, Albuquerque community leaders and a broad spectrum of New Mexico-based organizations announced the launch of the APD Forward campaign, a community-driven effort to hold the City of Albuquerque and the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) accountable for implementing reforms of the city’s police department. APD Forward will serve as a powerful, targeted platform for Albuquerque communities to press for sustainable reforms of APD policies and procedures.

By Micah McCoy

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ACLU of New Mexico Applauds APD Policy Standardizing Firearms

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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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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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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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