AMERICAN IMMIGRATION COUNCIL • IRIS
New Mexico Governor Signs Immigrant Safety Act

Policy ID

NM-LA-2026-2-5
State Response
Statewide,
NM
Legislative Action

Short Description

New Mexico’s legislature enacted House Bill 9, known as the Immigrant Safety Act, which (1) prohibits public bodies from entering into agreements used to detain individuals for federal civil immigration violations, (2) prohibits the use of public land for immigration detention, and (3) prohibits public bodies from entering into 287(g) agreements. Public bodies, as defined in the legislation, includes state and local governments, sheriff’s departments, and any entity acting within the scope of the public body’s authority.

Date Adopted

02/05/2026

Updates

In May 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit challenging H.B. 9 on the grounds that it blocks federal immigration enforcement. New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez filed a motion to dismiss this lawsuit in June 2026. The state agreed to hold off on enforcing the new law while the court case continues.

See Also

Albuquerque, NM Mayor Signs Safer Community Places Ordinance Restricting Immigration Enforcement at Sensitive Sites

04/07/2026
Albuquerque
Legislative Action
NM

Bernalillo County, NM Passes Safer Community Places Ordinance Protecting Sensitive Locations

11/01/2025
Bernalillo County
Legislative Action
NM