A road sign showing the Rio Arriba county line with Lybrook elementary just beyond it.

Locked Out: When School Boards Exclude Native Representation

At a small school district in northwestern New Mexico, many Navajo parents cannot run for local school board or vote in the school district’s elections where their children go to school. 

Latest Press Release


People Incarcerated in Doña Ana County Jail Sue Over Violent Paramilitary Tactics and Inhumane Treatment 

Six people who were held at the Doña Ana County Detention Center (DACDC) filed a lawsuit today seeking to end the jail's practice of conducting violent, unwarranted paramilitary training operations on incarcerated people.
Body camera footage from March 8, 2025, when such training operations took place at DACDC. Various officers, masked and armed, are seen running into the quiet cells in the middle of the night.

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

A photo of Rita Padilla-Gutiérrez standing in front of her sign that reads: "Trump, racist, rapist, not my president"

More Than a Yard Sign: Fighting for Free Speech in Tomé, New Mexico

When Rita Padilla-Gutiérrez posted anti-Trump signs in her yard, Valencia County threatened her with criminal prosecution at the urging of a pro-Trump county commissioner.

By Rita-Padilla Gutiérrez

Dark blue collage image of GuJuan, featuring a recent photo of him along with a childhood picture in various color filters

Beyond the Concrete Box: Gujuan Fusilier’s Story

This blog is the third of a series based on interviews with three men currently held in the Penitentiary of New Mexico who are part of a class action lawsuit challenging the inhumane and unconstitutional conditions of New Mexico’s long-term solitary confinement unit.

By Lalita Moskowitz

Stylized image of plantiffs in front of a dark green background, a silhouette of a man sitting down on pavement looking distressed is centered in the photo stylized in green.

Beyond the Concrete Box: Human Stories from Solitary

This blog is the first of a series based on interviews with Mah-konce Hudson, GuJuan Fusilier, and O'Shay Toney, who are currently held in the Penitentiary of New Mexico.

By Lalita Moskowitz

Celebrating ACLU-NM's Exceptional Leaders During Hispanic Heritage Month

As we embrace the historical significance of Hispanic Heritage Month, we take immense pride in recognizing the invaluable contributions of these visionary leaders, who have been the backbone of the ACLU of New Mexico’s programmatic endeavors.

By Leon Howard

Banner image of Papel Picado

Inhumane Prison Conditions are Illegal and Hurt Us All

As a country, we disproportionately incarcerate individuals with serious mental illnesses, but our carceral system does little to nothing to address their needs.

By Lalita Moskowitz

Graphic showing a prison hallway.

SCOTUS Ruling Serves to Protect Indigenous Culture

In a huge victory for tribal sovereignty, this June, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected the attack against ICWA in Brackeen v. Haaland.

Supreme Court of the United States

Too Many Policymakers Pushing for Over-Policing, Longer Sentences and Increased Incarceration

We challenge the Lujan Grisham administration and all policymakers to rise to the occasion and commit to equal if not greater investments in meaningful, evidence-based diversion and treatment programs that allow for education, rehabilitation, housing, and economic dignity to be achieved.

By Nayomi Valdez

People not Prisons

Unchecked Growth: Private Prison Corporations and Immigration Detention, Three Years Into the Biden Administration

In July, more than 90 percent of the average 30,000 people held daily in ICE detention were housed in private facilities, as private corporation revenues from immigrant detention soar.

Protestors march in front of the ICE Company, The Geo Group building, demanding the end of private prisons.

What Trans Youth Want You to Know

Three kids discuss their lives, experiences, and perspectives on life in the trans community.

A young child holds up a sign reading "PROTECT TRANS KIDS, PROTECT ME - luke, age 9" at a Trans Pride March.

Why Language Assistance is Vital to the Health of Indigenous People

Senior Indigenous Justice Staff Attorney Preston Sanchez explains why access to language assistance is vital to the overall health of Indigenous people.

By Maria Archuleta, Preston Sanchez

Why Langugage Assistance is Vital to the Health of Indigenous People

Looking Back at Major Advances in Reproductive Freedom and Trans Rights This Session

The 2023 legislative session stands as one of the ACLU’s most successful. ll told, ten of our priority bills made it over the finish line, more than in any previous session.

By Peter Simonson

New Mexico State Capitol

The New ICE Chief Should (Finally) Make Good on Biden’s Immigration Promises

Acting Director Lechleitner must not let the ugly politics of immigration stop him from taking swift and meaningful action on detention and enforcement.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement headquarters.