Governor intends to incorporate measures concerning Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the schedule for New Mexico's special legislative session.
In a significant move, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico has announced plans to include legislation aimed at banning privately run immigration detention facilities in the state during a forthcoming special session [2][3]. This decision marks a strong stance against the operation of private detention centres by ICE within New Mexico.
The announcement was made by the Governor's top attorney to lawmakers on Wednesday [5]. The special session is expected to be called within the next two months, following the conclusion of the regular session in January, which will also include debates on bills dealing with juvenile crime and firearm restrictions [4].
The proposed legislation in New Mexico comes at a time when the federal landscape for immigration detention is expanding dramatically. The federal government recently approved a staggering $45 billion for the construction of new immigration detention centres nationally, including family facilities, which is driving the expansion of immigration detention capacity, often involving private companies [1][4].
By proposing to ban privately run immigration detention facilities, New Mexico seeks to counteract the role of such centres within the state, diverging from the federal trend that is increasing detention centre funding and capacity [2][3]. However, the exact date for the special session and the specific details of the legislation have yet to be announced.
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[1] Source for the federal government's unprecedented funding for immigration detention centres [2] Source confirming Governor Lujan Grisham's intention to include legislation about privately run immigration detention facilities in the special session [3] Source confirming the special session will focus on the legislation about privately run immigration detention facilities [4] Source confirming the regular session in January will include debates on bills dealing with juvenile crime and firearm restrictions [5] Source confirming the announcement by the Governor's top attorney to lawmakers on Wednesday
In the upcoming special session, legislators will debate not only juvenile crime and firearm restrictions, but also legislation aimed at banning privately run immigration detention facilities in New Mexico. This proposed legislation contrasts with the federal government's expansion of immigration detention capacity, particularly the recent approval of $45 billion for new detention centers nationwide.
