NM lawmakers say counties defying immigrant detention bill vulnerable to legal action

NM lawmakers say counties defying immigrant detention bill vulnerable to legal action

New Mexico Sen. Joseph Cervantes (D-Las Cruces) said May 21, 2026, that county leaders who have defied a newly enacted state law banning public entities from contracting with federal immigration authorities will face lawsuits and “unlimited liability.” (Patrick Lohmann/Source NM)Top lawmakers on an interim legislative committee Thursday warned county leaders who defied a newly enacted immigrant detention bill that they should be setting aside mo…