Civil Rights/Criminal Justice Reform/Immigration
SOS members at Roundhouse in support of our legislative initiative
Civil rights are rights guaranteed by constitutions (federal and state) and laws authorized by those constitutions. Women, people of color, those who identify with ethnic, cultural and religious groups, LGBTQ, immigrants, and people with disabilities are represented by advocacy organizations that work to ensure equal treatment under law and protect civil rights. Currently, extremist politics and violence nationwide threaten our free speech, safety, civil rights, and democracy itself. Here in New Mexico we see law enforcement as having the potential to prevent and mitigate violence. Seeing the efforts of the federal administration to weaponize the criminal justice system, we are actively working to strengthen that system in New Mexico to protect our rights and everyone’s safety.
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What We Are Doing
Since early 2022, we held meetings with and interviewed law enforcement actors across the state. We developed legislation for legislation sessions in 2023, 2024, and 2025, passing oversight legislation in 2023. We have been monitoring its implementation and advocating for full implementation despite resistance from the NM Department of Public Safety. In 2025 we petitioned the Law Enforcement Certification Board to implement the legislative intent getting hundreds of signatures of support from across the state, including from legislators.
On August 23, 2025, we participated in the NM Indivisible statewide convention. Rachel Feldman led a discussion on her proposal titled A Systems Approach to Criminal Justice Reform. The panel included Benjamin Baker, the Public Safety Advisor to the Governor, NM State Rep. Christine Chandler, and NM State Senator Antonio (Moe) Maestas. A revised version of this paper includes a legislative agenda requiring a 10 year investment and reform plan, and is being submitted to legislators for their consideration in October. Click here to see the full paper CRIME IN NEW MEXICO A Systems Approach to Criminal Justice Reform & Legislative Agenda, A Citizen’s Perspective by Rachel Feldman.
We support the work of Somos Un Pueblo Unido, and partner with them to pass legislation to support mixed status immigrant families and workers in the face of threats of mass deportation. We are also working to strengthen behavioral health services in the State to better work with law enforcement and the court
Take Action
- Spread the word: Information on your rights with the police and ICE, provided by Somos un Pueblo Unido in English
- Spread the word: Information on your rights with the police and ICE, provided by Somos un Pueblo Unido in Spanish
- contact legislators and disseminate immigrant rights information.
WE WON'T BE SILENT!
