Dan Boyd, Capitol Bureau Chief of the Albuquerque Journal, announced on X that Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency in Española and its surrounding areas due to escalating crime and authorized National Guard deployment.
"Breaking: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has issued order declaring state of emergency in Española and surrounding areas due to crime," said Boyd. "The order authorizes deployment of #NM National Guard troops and comes four months after similar emergency order for Albuquerque."
According to AP News, on August 13, 2025, Governor Lujan Grisham declared a state of emergency in Rio Arriba County, which includes Española. The declaration was made in response to violent crime, drug trafficking, and other social challenges affecting the rural and Pueblo communities in that region. It allocated $750,000 in emergency funds for law enforcement and public safety efforts; however, no immediate National Guard deployment was ordered at that time.
AP News also reported that on April 8, 2025, Governor Lujan Grisham declared a state of emergency in Albuquerque following a significant spike in crime. She authorized the deployment of 60 to 70 National Guard troops to assist local police. This support began by mid-May and allowed officers to focus on combating the fentanyl crisis and juvenile violence.
The April emergency order for Albuquerque provided $750,000 for National Guard members to perform non-enforcement tasks such as scene security, traffic control, drone operations, prisoner transport, and supplying homeless populations. This enabled the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) to concentrate on critical enforcement and public safety roles.
Yahoo reports that New Mexico law grants broad emergency powers to the governor to act in circumstances posing serious public threats. In March 2025, the New Mexico Supreme Court upheld prior emergency orders issued by Lujan Grisham related to gun violence and drug abuse from 2023. The court confirmed the legality of such executive authority; however, one youth-justice provision was struck down.
Boyd serves as the Capitol Bureau Chief for the Albuquerque Journal, overseeing coverage of New Mexico’s government and state politics. His reporting regularly focuses on executive actions, legislative developments, and public safety matters in the state capital and beyond.
