In a move critics are calling reckless, ideologically driven, and economically devastating, New Mexico Democrats have fast-tracked House Bill 9 (HB 9)—the so-called “Immigrant Safety Act”—through the Legislature and toward the governor’s desk, setting the stage for what opponents warn could be mass job losses, municipal insolvency, and a collapse of rural economies in Otero County, Torrance County, and Cibola County.
The bill cleared the Senate late Tuesday night on a 24–15, near party-line vote after hours of heated debate. The House had already passed the measure earlier in the session after a lengthy debate led by Rep. John Block (R-Alamogordo), who offered an amendment to make counties whole that was narrowly defeated. Rural communities are now having to brace for impact.
HB 9 bans local governments from contracting with the federal government to operate Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facilities, prohibits renewals of existing agreements, and bars the use of public property for federal civil immigration detention. Supporters framed the bill as a moral stand against what they described as a “cruel” federal immigration system. But even lawmakers who oppose ICE policies acknowledged the bill’s severe economic consequences.
“This is going to devastate my community,” warned Sen. Ant Thornton, R-Sandia Park, whose district includes the Torrance County Detention Facility. Thornton unsuccessfully offered an amendment that would have reimbursed counties for lost taxes, jobs, and economic activity. “Estancia is going to turn into a ghost town,” he said.
Sen. George Muñoz, D-Gallup, whose district includes Cibola County, voted against the bill and issued an even starker warning. “You want to see a town dry up like a tumbleweed and blow away—get ready,” Muñoz said, calling Grants a town “built on prisons.” He added, “We have to figure out how we’re going to help these people… and now it’s going to disappear.”
Those pleas fell on deaf ears. An amendment in the Senate that would have made affected counties whole was narrowly defeated by a single vote, in part because two senators—Jay Block and Craig Brandt of Rio Rancho—were absent for the vote, a procedural twist that sealed the economic fate of the three counties.
The stakes are enormous. In Cibola County alone, local officials estimate 180 direct job losses, with total economic impacts exceeding $20 million annually when payroll, secondary spending, and multiplier effects are considered. Village of Milan Manager Candi Williams warned lawmakers that her community of roughly 2,300 residents could lose population eligibility thresholds tied to federal grants. “I struggle when people ask me why it feels like the Legislature hates our little community,” Williams told senators.
Even lawmakers who supported the bill conceded the harm. Rep. Patricia Lundstrom, D-Gallup, said her region would lose jobs and tax revenue. “We need help. We need help,” she pleaded. House Speaker Javier Martínez responded by offering capital outlay funds—an ad-hoc gesture critics say does not replace permanent jobs or stabilize county budgets.
Opponents also argue HB 9 will not end detention, but merely export it to other states, stripping New Mexico of any oversight while separating detainees from families and attorneys. Sen. Jim Townsend, R-Artesia, put it bluntly: “We have no idea where they’re going… and we’ll have absolutely no way to ensure their lives.”
New Mexico House Republicans issued a forceful call for a veto, warning HB 9 undermines public safety, threatens jobs, and invites constitutional challenges. In a statement, Republicans said the bill “represents a dangerous step away from the rule of law” and emphasized that ending cooperation with federal authorities “makes it harder to remove individuals convicted of serious crimes.”
Calls to the governor’s office should be made to (505) 476-2200.
Despite those warnings, Democratic leaders pushed HB 9 through at breakneck speed. With the governor poised to sign it, rural New Mexico now faces what critics describe as an economically dooming, morally performative, and profoundly destructive law—one that sacrifices working families and entire counties to make a political statement that won’t stop federal immigration enforcement, but will shatter local economies.
On the road to New Somalia.
Now the legislature can start funding New Learing Centers.
the sign of any good legislative session are the democrats killing jobs and putting working people on welfare. if they can do that while protecting illegal aliens, many of whom have committed crime while here in the USA so much the better. Dont blame the moron democrats in the clown house, blame the moron voters that keep electing them. When democrats win elections every time, they think the people like their policies. The average democrat voter couldnt tell you how the dems policies affect them if their lives depended on it. a state of uninformed , uninterested, apathetic fools. MLG will be all smiles as she puts New Mexicans out of work. Just like she was when she tore down the 4 corners power plant and weakened our ability to produce affordable energy. Then she tore the power plant down so a reasonable governor would not have the chance to reopen it. she did all of that on her own accord. no public say in the matter. and the democrats scream about about NO KINGS as OUR QUEEEN does whatever the hell she wants. Dem legislature never reigns in her power. Beta males and females that worship living in her shadow and following her every command.
Call the governor, leave a contrite message, not rude stating the facts as John Block stated
We can criticize the present leadership, but until we take action to their woke agenda, we will have accomplished nada.
Call the Governors office now, state the facts.. most important the loss of jobs in those counties…
Cibola County has been the “red headed stepchild” of New Mexico for as long as I can remember. The reality is that President Biden caused the immigration problem. HB9 might fix it but it will certainly “fix” our county, one of the poorest in the State. It will create yet another layer of poverty, one that will absolutely destroy our county. To vote for this is irresponsible. Please do not vote for HB9.
how do the scum bags that voted to eliminate jobs from an economically depressed area show their faces in public. what absolute low lives they are. who the hell voted for these creeps ? Democrats keep pushing for more lawlessness. arent you paying attention New Mexico ?
Tell MLG to kill the bill.
You can bet that if these facilities were in Bernalillo or Santa Fe, they would have not passed or income replacement would have passed. Once again, Democrats shat on the working men and women.
Thank you Sen. George Muñoz, D-Gallup, for voting against this bill.
Shame on the rest of MLG’s minions/comrades who voted for it and it passed and is now on the evil queens desk for signature. And call her all you want but this evil ungodly governor does not care about NM only herself and her ugly ego and will pass the bill. She will be out of here for this is her last year as the worst governor in NM. And leaving with a net worth of about 200 million! Corruption and evil at it best.
Wake up New Mexico and vote out her comrades who are up for re-election this year. Otherwise, we are doomed. I am praying for a strong conservative candidate to run for Governor. If any of the fools (democraps) running get elected, we are for sure doomed. Praying for Gods mercy.