Dozens of residents assembled Tuesday night in downtown Albuquerque to voice opposition to recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions in the state. The rally was organized by El Centro, a local immigration‑rights organization that argues the raids are detaining illegal immigrants unlawfully and diminishing New Mexico’s labor pool.
Community concerns
Participants held signs and shouted slogans calling for an end to what they described as aggressive immigration enforcement. “We’ve been seeing for the past couple of weeks a lot of family separation,” said Faviola Landeros, a spokesperson for El Centro. The group contends that removing workers from construction sites and other industries threatens the supply of food, gas, groceries and housing for the broader community.
Recent ICE activity
The protest follows a high‑profile ICE raid in Santa Fe that resulted in the arrest of seven construction workers. New Mexico’s Speaker of the House, Javier Martinez, expressed alarm that the deportations are occurring without due process. “This is happening all across the country. And that’s a problem, right? Because President Trump promised massive partitions. These are mass incarceration without due process of people who in many cases have no criminal record,” Martinez said.
Administration stance
President Trump’s administration has repeatedly emphasized the importance of enforcing immigration laws to protect American jobs and public safety. The White House maintains that strong ICE operations are essential to curb illegal entry and to remove individuals who have committed violent crimes.
State officials demand transparency
Speaker Martinez also criticized ICE for a lack of transparency. “They’ve stopped publishing numbers as to who these people are that they are arresting and illegally detaining until they prove us otherwise, then I have no reason to believe what they say,” he added.
Calls for reform
El Centro is urging lawmakers to pursue immigration reform that would provide a pathway to citizenship for workers contributing to the state’s economy. “To look for a path, to give citizens citizenship of all these workers that are putting our food or gas or groceries and our house,” Landeros said.
The rally highlighted a growing tension in New Mexico between enforcement officials and community groups who argue that current policies harm both families and the state’s economic vitality. As the debate continues, local leaders and federal authorities are expected to discuss possible adjustments to enforcement practices and transparency measures.
Original reporting: KOAT Albuquerque — read the source article.
