Arrest warrants might just start flying at Dems in NM

New Mexico’s Democrat elected officials may soon find themselves in legal jeopardy for obstructing federal law enforcement efforts to protect the nation’s borders. An internal memo from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) indicates that state and local officials who interfere with immigration enforcement could face criminal prosecution.

The document makes it clear that federal prosecutors are being instructed to identify and potentially charge those who “threaten to impede” federal immigration actions. This could mean serious legal consequences for public officials in sanctuary cities like Santa Fe and Albuquerque, where local authorities have actively refused to cooperate with immigration enforcement.

“It’s hard on people when there is an atmosphere of fear and unknown action,” said Alan Webber, the mayor of Santa Fe. However, his city’s policies of shielding illegal immigrants from federal enforcement may now carry serious legal risks.

Mayor Webber admitted, “I don’t know any mayor is in a position, including me, to say that we are going to refuse to comply with the law. But I don’t know if we are required to assist with things that go beyond our legal responsibilities.”

The DOJ’s directive raises serious questions about whether officials like Webber and Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller could be subject to arrest warrants for their defiance of federal law. Keller, in a statement, seemed to double down on resistance:

“As your Mayor, I was elected to lead our city, not work for Donald Trump… APD officers will continue to arrest violent and repeat offenders, regardless of immigration status.”

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham also weighed in, appearing to reject the DOJ’s position, stating, “I expect New Mexico’s public officials to uphold the Constitution and their duties under law, and not be swayed or intimidated by politically motivated threats.”

New Mexico’s Attorney General, Raúl Torrez, dismissed the DOJ’s warning, calling it a distortion of the law and an attack on state and local officials. His position raises further concerns about whether he and other high-ranking state officials could be complicit in efforts to obstruct federal immigration enforcement.

Sam Bregman, the district attorney for Bernalillo County, took an even more defiant stance, outright refusing to cooperate with federal immigration efforts:

“In my roles as District Attorney as well as the Chairman of the OCC, I will continue to vigorously work with all agencies to go after criminals in our state. However, I will in no way assist with the recent executive orders involving immigration.”

These statements, combined with the DOJ’s new directive, highlight the increasing legal risks facing New Mexico’s Democrat officials. If they continue to shield illegal immigrants and block federal law enforcement from carrying out its duty, they could very well find themselves facing warrants for their arrests. The coming weeks may determine whether New Mexico’s leadership chooses to comply with federal law or risk legal action for their defiance.