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El Centro de Igualdad y Derechos along with immigrant-based and serving organizations, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the Albuquerque Teachers Federation, Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller and more held a press conference on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, to denounce President Donald Trump's call for mass deportations across the country , including the latest raid at Outlook Dairy Farms in Lovington, New Mexico.
MORE: President Donald Trump intensifies call for ICE raids amid 'No Kings' protests
Sign up for our NewslettersThe U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed an executed search warrant at the Outlook Dairy Farms in Lovington, New Mexico, in June 2025. According to officials, they “arrested 11 illegal aliens, including nine banned from the United States.”
Immigrants' rights officials and state leaders condemned the attempt to “strong-arm jurisdictions to aid with the enforcement of federal immigration laws and the intentional erosion of core constitutional rights such as due process and states’ rights.”
According to the Department of Homeland Security, an official sent an e-mail informing agents to "hold on all worksite enforcement investigations/operations on agriculture (including aquaculture and meat packing plants), restaurants and operating hotels on Thursday, June 12, 2025. The announcement follows President Trump's post via Truth Social regarding farmers in the hotel and leisure business affected by his administration's immigration policies.
“We are proud of the contributions of immigrants, families and Albuquerque. Immigrant-friendly, Albuquerque strong. We are proud that we have passed the first immigrant-friendly public safety policy in 2000,” El Centro's de Igualdad y Derechos Immigrant & Civil Rights Organizer Fabiola Landeros said during Wednesday's press conference.
Video Below: 'No Kings' protest in Santa Fe brings out thousands
“Since our members have to defend and expand protections over the decades, immigrant leaders and our allies have passed strong policies and practices to ensure that our local law enforcement, Bernalillo County and the city agencies will not aid with ICE deportations programs and transportation of mass deportation,” Landeros added.
“We are already seeing the devastating impact that fear and uncertainty have on our immigrant clients and their families. Mass detention and deportation are also designed to destabilize communities and undermine access to justice,” NMILC's managing attorney, Sophia Genovese, said during Wednesday's press conference.
“We will continue to stand with immigrant families and use every legal tool available to defend their rights, their dignity and their place in New Mexico,” Genovese added.
Attendees and/or Speakers
- Teresa Hernández, El CENTRO de Igualdad y Derechos
- Executive Director Leon Howard, ACLU
- Allen Sanchez, New Mexico Conference of Catholic Bishops
- Sophia Genovese, New Mexico Immigration Law Center (NMILC)
- Dr. Sonya Romero-Autrey, Albuquerque Teachers Federation
- Javier MartÃnez, New Mexico Speaker of the House
“This moment demands courage from every one of us. We're not observers. We're participants in protecting what makes New Mexico home. So, we're calling on and standing with organizations, local officials, and every New Mexican to keep fighting for the values that make us New Mexicans,” ACLU's executive director, Leon Howard, said during Wednesday's press conference.
“This state was built on welcoming people and supporting one another, and no amount of federal interference will change that. At the ACLU of New Mexico, we will continue to monitor these enforcement actions, challenging unconstitutional practices in court and we have a federal bench here that has issued TROs for heinous actions of this federal administration,” Howard said.
“As teachers, we witness how immigration shapes our students and the heavy burdens they carry. In our schools and communities, it is our responsibility to help shoulder that weight by ensuring they feel safe, supported, and protected,” Dr. Sonya Lisa Romero-Autrey said.
“When we see what was happening in Los Angeles, it's absolutely appalling. There is never a place for military doing roundups in our own cities. As was already acknowledged, we should never have to see that, but we do. We absolutely do. Right now, the threat is actually real,” Mayor Keller said during Wednesday's press conference.
Republican Party of New Mexico statement
KOAT reached out to the Republican Party of New Mexico following Wednesday's press conference. RPNM Chairwoman Amy Barela's sent the following statement:
“First and foremost, let’s be clear: these are not 'raids.'” President Trump’s administration is enforcing the law by arresting illegal immigrants who have outstanding warrants. This is about protecting the safety of New Mexican citizens first and foremost — not sensationalizing lawful actions meant to uphold our justice system.
This is a return to common-sense governance. Under President Trump’s leadership, we are once again seeing decisive action to restore order at our borders and in our communities.
Promises made, promises kept.
President Trump is once again delivering on his word to secure the homeland and enforce immigration laws — protecting families, businesses, and law enforcement across New Mexico and the United States.
The Republican Party of New Mexico stands firmly with President Trump in defending our communities, upholding the rule of law, and putting Americans first.”
Note: Part of RPNM's statement included findings from an American tabloid. KOAT will not post those findings until confirmed.
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