A coalition of immigrants' rights advocates is set to hold a press conference on Monday at 10:00 am inside the Roundhouse in Santa Fe. The event is in response to recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions that led to the apprehension of 48 New Mexico residents in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Roswell. During the press conference, the coalition will announce the submission of a formal complaint with the Department of Homeland Security's Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties.
The complaint focuses on what has been described as the disappearance of these individuals following their detention by ICE. Advocates are also calling on legislators to pass two pieces of legislation—HB 9 (Immigrant Safety Act) and SB 250 (No State & Local Resources for Immigration Enforcement Act)—before the legislative session concludes. These bills aim to prevent state and local governments from supporting similar enforcement efforts in the future.
Speakers at the event will include Marcela Díaz, Executive Director of Somos Un Pueblo Unido; Jessica Inez Martínez, Director of Policy and Coalition Building at New Mexico Immigrant Law Center (NMILC); Edwin Jesus Garcia Castillo, who was formerly detained at Torrance County Detention Facility; Allen Sánchez, Executive Director of New Mexico Conference of Catholic Bishops; Norma Mendoza, Community Organizer at EL CENTRO de Igualdad y Derechos; and Rebecca Sheff, Senior Staff Attorney at American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
The press conference will take place in Room 303 at the New Mexico State Capitol (Roundhouse) and will be live-streamed on Facebook pages managed by NMILC and ACLU-NM.
A copy of the complaint can be requested by editors, although all materials are embargoed until after the conclusion of Monday’s press conference.
