By Nicole Maxwell
New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez issued guidance Wednesday in response to President Donald Trump’s announcement that the president plans on expanding immigration enforcement into sensitive spaces such as churches, hospitals and schools.
“Our priority is to protect New Mexico’s families, especially children, from policies that create fear and destabilize communities,” Torrez said in a news release. “We are committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring public safety, but we must also safeguard the ability of families and children to access education, healthcare and justice without fear of persecution.”
The policy change reverses safeguards acknowledged by both Republicans and Democrats and “underscores the urgent need for local leaders to understand their rights and responsibilities at the intersection of state and federal law,” the news release states.
The guidance includes an outline of judicial protections under the Constitution’s 4th Amendment, which prohibits unreasonable search and seizure. The guidance also emphasizes the difference between immigration enforcement in public and nonpublic areas and addresses enforcement action impacts on crime victims, including domestic violence survivors.
The guidance also encourages “schools, healthcare providers and places of worship to develop policies that balance legal compliance with the need to maintain safe and welcoming environments,” the news release states.
Torrez added that although he supports enhanced border security and targeted enforcement operations focused on violent criminals and national security risks, “Rounding up children, crime victims and sick people is beneath the dignity of a great nation.”
What does one say if stopped and asked if they are a Citizen. Fear is running rampant.
Totally agree!!
One of the admiration of United States reputation from the world has been the fact the United States is a Great Nation with power and fairness. Abides to the constitution the law and the commandments place by God. And is true the bad people take advantage, and for sure those should held accountable however the majority of the one the seek shelter, asylum and betterment is because they believe and trust the core principles of this great nation. I have gone through a lot someone forced me to come and live here he was nice at first and then he hurt me my fam I try to get documents for my mother that also suffer abused by an American man and attorney took advantage stole the money and never submitted my mother’s case. On top she was persecuted by a foreign government because when you are a religious líder you have to convinced the followers to be on the gov side if you don’t you get persecuted incarcerated torture. I was born on that war on that system I ended up practically kidnapped here. We aren’t bad people I learned the ways here I respected my community and love it. So I know the other side. I pray the God has Mercy on the unfair and injustice of circumstances and situations because I’ll love this nation to prosper and grow but not base on the others pain
The threat to our migrant population is immoral and unacceptable
in a democracy.