Call to action: Oppose job-killing anti-ICE bill today in NM House committee

On Thursday, January 22, at 1:30 p.m. (or 15 minutes after the House floor session, whichever is later), the New Mexico House Consumer & Public Affairs Committee will meet in Room 317 to hear House Bill 9 (HB 9)—a sweeping, far-left proposal that would effectively shut down Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention operations across New Mexico.

Branded by its sponsors as the “Immigrant Safety Act,” HB 9 goes far beyond symbolic politics. If enacted, it would prohibit counties and other public bodies from cooperating with federal authorities on civil immigration detention, force the termination of existing agreements, and invite litigation by empowering the attorney general or district attorneys to sue local governments for non-compliance. In practice, that means closing or dismantling ICE processing facilities where criminal aliens are lawfully detained and processed before removal—regardless of the devastating economic and public-safety consequences for local communities.

Jobs, Revenues, and Entire Communities at Risk

HB 9 would directly threaten thousands of jobs and tens of millions of dollars in local economic activity in rural New Mexico—particularly in Otero County, Cibola County, and Torrance County. These counties—represented by both Democrats and Republicans—host detention facilities that serve as economic anchors in regions with few comparable employers.

According to county-level analysis, Otero County alone stands to lose approximately 284 direct jobs, along with $3.9 million annually in economic contributions and state tax revenue. Across all three counties, losses could reach into the tens of millions of dollars per year, triggering layoffs, reduced public services, and even defaults on outstanding revenue bonds tied to detention facility operations. State law explicitly prohibits legislation that impairs existing bond obligations, raising serious legal and fiscal red flags.

There is no appropriation in HB 9 to offset these losses. Counties are offered no replacement funding, no transition assistance, and no economic development plan—only the hollow promise that rural New Mexico should somehow “figure it out” after the state pulls the rug out from under them.

Public Safety and Constitutional Concerns

HB 9 would also put New Mexico on a collision course with federal law. Immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility, and Supreme Court precedent makes clear that states may not obstruct or undermine federal immigration operations. Legal analyses warn HB 9 could spark costly litigation under the Supremacy Clause and intergovernmental immunity, draining taxpayer dollars while creating chaos in federal-state relations.

Even more troubling, shutting down in-state facilities does not end detention. It simply forces detainees—many with criminal histories—to be transferred out of state, farther from courts, attorneys, and families. That outcome undercuts due process, increases federal costs, and removes New Mexico’s ability to oversee conditions—while doing nothing to improve public safety or humanitarian outcomes.

Take Action Now

This bill is not about safety. It is about ideology—and rural New Mexico will pay the price.

The House Consumer & Public Affairs Committee needs to hear from you. Respectfully urge members to vote NO on HB 9 and stand with working families, local governments, and the rule of law.

Committee Hearing Details

• When: Thursday, January 22, 2026 — 1:30 p.m. or 15 minutes after House floor
• Where: Room 317, NM State Capitol
• Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86074155262

Email Committee Members

• Rep. Joanne J. Ferrary (Chair): joanne.ferrary@nmlegis.gov
• Rep. Angelica Rubio (Vice Chair): angelica.rubio@nmlegis.gov
• Rep. John Block: John.Block@nmlegis.gov
• Rep. Stefani Lord: stefani.lord@nmlegis.gov
• Rep. Andrea Romero: andrea@andrearomero.com
• Rep. Liz Thomson: liz.thomson@nmlegis.gov

Tell them: HB 9 will kill jobs, crush rural counties, invite lawsuits, and make New Mexico less safe—without solving a single real problem. Oppose HB 9.