The Las Cruces City Council has approved a resolution, with a 5-2 vote, that aims to protect immigrant communities by reaffirming the city’s commitment to preventing discrimination and harassment. The measure is intended to ensure that city resources are focused on local needs rather than being used for federal immigration enforcement actions, except when legally required.
The new policy formalizes existing practices in Las Cruces. It states that agencies such as the Las Cruces Police Department will not voluntarily participate in federal immigration raids or mass deportations unless mandated by law. Additionally, the resolution includes provisions to safeguard residents’ sensitive personal information and upholds constitutional rights while emphasizing transparency and accountability in city operations.
Johana Bencomo, mayor pro tem and city councilor for District 4 of Las Cruces, commented: “All of us want to feel safe in our communities, but Trump’s deliberate attacks that terrorize and vilify our immigrant neighbors completely erode our public safety. Las Cruces will continue to fight back against the president's attempt to divide our community. Together we can ensure that everyone—from the family who has been here for generations to the one who just arrived—has stable housing, good jobs, and safe, thriving neighborhoods."
Tatiana Prieto, policy advocate with the ACLU of New Mexico, said: “The Las Cruces Welcoming City resolution is reflective of our values as New Mexicans: inclusivity, respect, and unity. We are grateful for New Mexico's state leadership and the many local officials who are standing up to Trump's mass detention campaign. We urge all municipalities to push back against harmful policies by enacting similar legislation, acknowledging the urgent need for state-level protections. We must commit to protecting the rights, dignity, and safety of all people in New Mexico."
A statement from the New Mexico Dream Team read: “Las Cruces has been a leader in putting a people-first approach when it comes to housing, healthcare access, services like public transportation and community infrastructure. The introduction of the Welcoming Community Resolution reaffirms that Las Cruces is a city that loves immigrants, mixed-status families, and people of color and will take the proactive steps to support them. We wholeheartedly support the Las Cruces City Council in the passage of this resolution.”
The Doña Ana County NAACP added: "We support the 'Las Cruces Welcoming City' resolution because it represents a meaningful commitment to inclusion, respect, and dignity for everyone in our community. By embracing diversity and rejecting discrimination, the resolution fosters a sense of belonging for all residents, regardless of their background. Supporting this initiative is a way to demonstrate that our city values fairness and strives to create a safe, supportive environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. We are proud to support the Welcoming City resolution and encourage others to join in the effort to create a safe community for everyone."
Renée Beltran from Mesilla stated: "By passing this updated Welcoming Community resolution, the Las Cruces City Council is taking a big step towards making our city a place where everyone feels safe and supported. This isn't just about policy—it's about reaffirming our values as a community that values respect, kindness, and fairness for all. As a border community, for our people in Las Cruces to thrive, we need to ensure that everyone can access the resources they need without fear of persecution or harassment. This resolution does just that, and it's a huge win for our community.”
Supporters of this measure include several advocacy groups such as ACLU of New Mexico; Bold Futures NM; Center for Civic Policy; League of Women Voters; NAACP of Las Cruces; New Mexico Comunidades en Acción y de Fe (NM CAFe); New Mexico Dream Team; and New Mexico Immigrant Law Center.
