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MLG’s top aides cash in: Raises up to 26% while state workers get 4%

15 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s office has granted sizable raises to roughly 20 senior aides—some as high as 26%—far outpacing the 4% increase most state employees received this year.

Spokesman Michael Coleman defended the adjustments as a response to “market realities,” noting the aides are effectively on call around the clock. “The governor’s senior staff salaries were adjusted to reflect the extraordinary level of expertise and experience they bring to serving New Mexico,” Coleman said. “These seasoned professionals could command higher compensation in the private sector but choose public service.”

Republican leaders objected, arguing taxpayers aren’t seeing commensurate results while the state contends with persistent problems in health care, homelessness, and child welfare. “With so many urgent challenges facing our communities, taxpayers deserve to see meaningful results, not just expanding payrolls for political appointees,” said House Minority Leader Gail Armstrong, R-Magdalena.

Salary records on the state Sunshine Portal show Chief of Staff Daniel Schlegel’s pay moving from $201,893 to $234,000 (16%). General Counsel Holly Agajanian received a 19% increase to $208,000. Deputy Chief of Staff Diego Arencon and Director of Cabinet Affairs Caroline Buerkle each rose 9%. The largest percentage bump went to administrative assistant Leah Mountain, whose salary climbed 26% to $78,000. Coleman himself received a 10% raise.

All state employees received a 4% boost effective July 1 under the $10.8 billion budget approved in March. The Governor’s Office did not specify when its senior staff raises were authorized; if approved before July, the across-the-board 4% would be calculated on the higher base. Coleman framed the larger increases as targeted to “specialized executive roles,” adding, “These professionals have helped secure billions in federal investments, navigate unprecedented challenges, and position New Mexico as a national leader on multiple fronts. That expertise has value, and the governor believes that retaining it serves every New Mexican’s interest.”

This isn’t the first time top aides have seen notable pay hikes under Lujan Grisham. Similar raises were approved in late 2022 and early 2023 after her reelection, and about eight senior staffers received sizable increases in 2020 during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The governor’s own salary remains $110,000, unchanged since she took office in 2019 because statewide elected officials’ pay is set in statute. Lujan Grisham signed a 2023 law raising those salaries beginning in 2027—after her term—setting the next governor’s pay at $169,714.

Other branches have also lifted compensation. New Mexico Chief Investment Officer Vince Smith’s June raise of nearly 40% makes him the state’s highest-paid employee at $455,000, with many Investment Office staff also receiving increases. Legislative Finance Committee Director Charles Sallee’s salary rose from $193,640 to $213,200 this year, according to Sunshine Portal data.

We have previously exclusively reported on Lujan Grisham’s extravagant staff raises, such as in 2023, where she lavished huge pay bumps to staffers.

MLG’s top aides cash in: Raises up to 26% while state workers get 4% Read More »

Jon Jones cleared after explosive DWI cover-up claim

6 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Former UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones has put a major legal issue behind him after prosecutors dismissed charges linked to a February traffic incident in New Mexico.

Jones had been accused of fleeing the scene of an accident earlier this year. But according to a press release cited by Fox News Digital, the case was formally dropped Tuesday when the state filed a nolle prosequi, ending the matter before it reached a scheduled bench trial.

His attorney, Christopher A. Dodd, said the outcome confirmed what Jones had maintained from the beginning.

 “We have been fully vindicated,” Dodd said. “From the very beginning, we explained that a woman made a false allegation against Jon in an effort to avoid being arrested for DWI, and unfortunately, the police accepted that claim without properly weighing the facts. Once the relevant documents were finally disclosed by the police department, Jon’s cell phone records made it undeniably clear that he was nowhere near the scene of the crash. We are grateful that the district attorney’s office took the time to conduct a full and fair review of this case, which ultimately confirmed Jon’s innocence.”

Dodd added that his team is still scrutinizing how law enforcement handled the matter.
“At the same time, it is deeply troubling that such critical evidence was disregarded, forcing Jon to endure this ordeal unnecessarily. Our investigation into how this occurred remains ongoing,” he noted.

The accusations stemmed from a February crash in Albuquerque, when a woman claimed Jones had been driving one of the cars and left the scene. Police records indicate the woman showed “significant intoxication” at the time.

Dodd has consistently rejected the allegations. Back in June, he said, “Jon was not driving that night; he wasn’t in the car. It appears that an intoxicated woman used a false allegation against Jon to avoid being arrested for DWI, and the police fell for it. Based on the criminal complaint, it looks like they went so far as to seek a warrant for Jon’s cell phone records while conducting a misdemeanor traffic investigation. I have never heard of such a thing.”

Jones, who retired in June while still holding the UFC heavyweight belt, has fought sparingly since 2020. Though he announced his retirement, he has also hinted at a possible comeback in 2026.

Jon Jones cleared after explosive DWI cover-up claim Read More »

Longtime Republican lawmaker files to run against Leger Fernandez

12 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

A veteran Republican lawmaker from Clovis is stepping into the race for New Mexico’s 3rd Congressional District, setting up a challenge to far-left Democrat Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez in 2026.

State Rep. Martin Zamora, who has served four terms in the New Mexico House, filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission in July, officially opening the door to fundraising and spending for a congressional bid. The sprawling northern district stretches from the Texas border across the eastern plains and up through much of northern New Mexico, reaching as far south as Hobbs.

Zamora confirmed his plans in an interview, saying he has been preparing for the campaign quietly.

NM State Rep. Martin Zamora (R-Clovis) official portrait.

“We are fundraising right now and plan to work hard at winning this seat. We just feel like we need to do some work before we publicly announce,” Zamora said.

Leger Fernandez, an attorney from Santa Fe first elected in 2019, has consistently secured re-election by wide margins. According to federal filings, she began July with nearly half a million dollars in campaign cash.

Zamora, 64, said his decision to run is rooted in faith and service rather than partisanship.

“I respect Theresa for who she is, what she’s done, but I feel like…God put me here, and my opportunity to serve is now, and that’s why I’m stepping up to the plate,” he explained.

A farmer and rancher by trade, Zamora won his seat in 2018 by defeating Democrat George Dodge Jr. He currently represents District 63, covering parts of Curry, De Baca, Guadalupe, Roosevelt, and San Miguel counties. In the Legislature, Zamora serves as the ranking Republican on the House Agriculture, Acequias, and Water Resources Committee. He has consistently opposed the state budget and pushed, unsuccessfully, to allow public dollars for homeschool and private school students.

Earlier this year, one of his bills was signed into law by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, authorizing the New Mexico Finance Authority to provide loans and grants for dozens of water projects across the state.

Though Democrats hold a 14-point registration advantage in the district, Zamora says he sees a path forward.

“We have a lot of people, even Democrats, who have given us a handshake and told us that they’re going to support us,” he said.

Longtime Republican lawmaker files to run against Leger Fernandez Read More »

‘No right is absolute’: MLG’s past haunts her after new crime comments

21 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM) told Axios this week that Democrats should be “tough on crime,” touting her deployment of the National Guard to Española and Albuquerque while attempting to contrast her approach with that of former President Donald Trump.

“I think Democrats ought to be tough on crime,” Lujan Grisham told Axios. “But being tough on crime does not mean that you are breaching people’s constitutional rights, like free speech.”

The governor insisted that her deployments were cooperative measures with local governments, adding, “The difference between Trump and me is that I’m working with local authorities and not imposing my will on them to fight crime.”

But critics quickly pointed out the irony. Lujan Grisham has repeatedly breached constitutional rights during her time in office. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she imposed sweeping unilateral mandates on businesses, churches, and gatherings that shuttered much of the state and drew legal challenges. More recently, she attempted to suspend New Mexicans’ constitutional right to bear arms in Bernalillo County and Albuquerque through a controversial executive order. That order was immediately struck down by a federal judge appointed by Joe Biden, who reminded the governor that constitutional rights cannot simply be erased by executive fiat.

At the time of that order, Lujan Grisham defended her move with the shocking claim: “No constitutional right, in my view, including my oath, is intended to be absolute.” That led to calls for impeachment and an effort by state Reps. Stefani Lord and John Block have continued to propose impeaching her, a measure they have brought forward at each legislative session.

That statement has continued to haunt the governor, particularly as she now attempts to position herself as a defender of constitutional rights while deploying state military forces into communities plagued by violence. Albuquerque, for example, ranks among the most dangerous cities in the world, with crime levels rivaling cities like Caracas, Mogadishu, and Tijuana.

The New Mexico Shooting Sports Association blasted Lujan Grisham’s Axios comments on social media, writing:

“In September 2023, @GovMLG tried to nullify the Second Amendment in Bernalillo County through executive order in the name of ‘fighting crime.’ We had to sue her immediately to stop her flagrantly unconstitutional actions.”

Other New Mexicans also expressed outrage. Rose Griswold wrote in response: “Breaching people’s constitutional rights is A-okay when it’s their 2nd Amendment rights, though, huh Michelle?”

The governor’s remarks highlight a growing political divide over crime policy as Democrats like Lujan Grisham and California’s Gavin Newsom attempt to recast themselves as “tough” without embracing the effective enforcement strategies associated with Trump and Republicans. However, her record of executive overreach and constitutional violations complicates her messaging.

As violent crime continues to plague New Mexico—particularly Albuquerque—Lujan Grisham faces mounting criticism not only for failing to curb lawlessness, but also for attempting to erode rights in the name of public safety as her final years as governor come to a close. Her claim that she differs from Trump because she “works with local authorities” — completely untrue — may do little to reassure New Mexicans who remember her sweeping mandates, restrictions, and failed attempts to suspend fundamental liberties.

‘No right is absolute’: MLG’s past haunts her after new crime comments Read More »

Vasquez on the ropes after voting against biggest middle-class tax cut

11 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

A newly released poll from the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) suggests Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D-NM-02) faces an uphill battle heading into the 2026 election, with Republican messaging centered on taxes, inflation, and immigration resonating strongly across battleground districts.

The survey, conducted in 46 competitive House districts—including New Mexico’s Second Congressional District—found that Democrats like Vasquez who voted against the GOP’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” may pay a steep political price. The legislation, championed by President Donald Trump and House Republicans, included what the NRCC calls “the largest middle-class tax cut in generations,” expanded Medicaid funding, and provisions to bolster border security and national defense.

According to the poll, voters are significantly less likely to support Democrats who opposed the package. Key liabilities identified for Democrats include:

Backing the “largest tax hike since WWII”—$4.5 trillion affecting 80% of Americans (65% less likely to support)

  • Raising taxes by $3,000 on the average family (65%)
  • Cutting the Child Tax Credit (63%)
  • Fueling inflation with what Republicans describe as “reckless spending” (62%)
  • Raising taxes to fund healthcare for illegal immigrants (61%)
  • Providing taxpayer-funded benefits to illegal immigrants (60%)
  • Opposing work requirements for welfare recipients (59%)

“These numbers show exactly why Gabe Vasquez is vulnerable,” said NRCC spokesman Reilly Richardson. “If raising taxes and rewarding illegal immigrants is Democrat Gabe Vasquez’s idea of ‘public service,’ voters have another word for it: unemployment.”

The NRCC memo emphasizes that Republicans are gaining traction on voter concerns about the cost of living, where inflation and affordability top the list of priorities. The poll found that 47% of voters identified grocery costs as a key concern, followed by healthcare (34%) and rent or mortgage payments (31%). Republicans argue their legislation directly addressed those issues, while Democrats stood in the way.

The data also showed a shifting perception of which party “cares more about people like you.” Once a Democratic advantage, the metric is now nearly tied at 37–40, representing a ten-point swing toward Republicans since 2017.

Republicans are using the poll to sharpen their offensive strategy going into 2026. Their messaging playbook stresses “contrast framing,” casting GOP lawmakers as champions of tax relief and Democrats as tax-hikers aligned with Washington elites. “Stay on offense; this is the signature debate of 2026, and winning it means holding the majority,” the NRCC memo advises.

The Vasquez campaign has not yet responded to the NRCC’s claims. However, Democrats are likely to counter that the GOP’s proposals favor the wealthy and could threaten long-term fiscal stability, despite that not being the case. 

Vasquez narrowly reclaimed New Mexico’s Second District in 2024 after barely winning it two years earlier, making the seat one of the most closely watched swing districts in the nation. With Republicans already targeting him, the NRCC poll underscores just how competitive the 2026 race is likely to be.

Vasquez on the ropes after voting against biggest middle-class tax cut Read More »

Body cam video: Illegal alien trucker escaped NM traffic stop, then killed 3

12 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Newly released bodycam footage shows illegal immigrant truck driver Harjinder Singh struggling with English during a July 3 traffic stop in New Mexico — a detail that has become central in the debate over his role in a Florida crash that killed three people.

The video captures Singh being pulled over by a New Mexico State Police trooper for allegedly driving 60 mph in a 45-mph zone. Singh appears remorseful as he accepts the ticket, but the exchange later turns difficult when the officer struggles to understand his broken English.

“What’s that?” the trooper asks, before telling Singh, “I’m sorry, I guess I don’t understand what you’re saying.” Singh responds, “Maybe in this, this my ticket, on my license, how many years?” The officer then explains the citation would likely remain on his record for five to seven years.

Singh’s lack of English proficiency has become a flashpoint since federal regulators revealed he failed a Department of Transportation (DOT) English Language Proficiency (ELP) assessment after the fatal crash in Fort Pierce, Florida. He reportedly answered just two of twelve questions correctly and identified only one of four road signs. Critics are now questioning how he was able to operate a commercial truck at all.

The DOT said officers nationwide were required to conduct language checks during roadside inspections as of June 25. Singh, however, was not tested for proficiency during the July 3 stop. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy had earlier warned, “A driver who can’t understand English will not drive a commercial vehicle in this country. Period.”

New Mexico State Police Chief Troy Weisler pushed back on suggestions that his agency failed to follow the new guidelines. He said federal officials issued broad rules without a standardized process, leaving state agencies to create their own compliance procedures.

“When State Police sought clarification, the response received was simply, ‘You know when somebody doesn’t speak English,’” Weisler explained. He emphasized that New Mexico developed training and kept federal regulators informed prior to the Florida crash.

Weisler also insisted the July 3 encounter would not have triggered a test: “As the video of the traffic stop demonstrates, there were no communication issues between Mr. Singh and the officer. Therefore, there would have been no reason to initiate an ELP assessment.”

Singh, 28, was arrested after allegedly making an illegal U-turn in Florida that caused a multi-vehicle collision and three deaths. Authorities say he entered the U.S. illegally in 2018, and his licensing history is now under investigation.

According to the DOT, Singh obtained a full-term commercial driver’s license in Washington in 2023, despite laws prohibiting illegal immigrants from doing so. He was later issued a limited-term, non-domiciled CDL in California in 2024, raising further questions about whether federal regulations were properly followed.

Singh has been charged with three counts of vehicular homicide and extradited to Florida to face prosecution.

Body cam video: Illegal alien trucker escaped NM traffic stop, then killed 3 Read More »

‘Beautiful, safe, humane’: Lawmakers tour Otero ICE facility, Dems livid

9 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Lawmakers from across New Mexico toured the Otero County Processing Center on Monday, describing it as one of the most modern, clean, and humane immigration detention facilities in the country. The visit comes as Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham considers legislation to ban ICE facilities statewide. This move would cost hundreds of rural jobs and tens of millions in local revenue.

Sen. Crystal Brantley (R–Elephant Butte), who helped arrange the visit after months of delays and cancellations by Democrat leadership, said the facility was “very transparent” and showed a high standard of care. “It’s important that legislators see these operations firsthand,” Brantley said. “We’re talking about over 500 jobs on the line and the safety of our communities. The facility was clean, well-run, and detainees were clearly receiving proper medical care, meals, and recreation.”

Rep. John Block (R–Alamogordo) contrasted Otero’s facility with what he described as “makeshift” conditions in El Paso. “If we don’t have this very nice, humane facility in New Mexico, you just drive 10 minutes and you’re in El Paso, where migrants are packed into an ad hoc center. What we saw in Otero is beautiful, humane, and far better than the alternative,” Block said.

Lawmakers observed spacious housing units decorated with murals of destinations like Tahiti and the Maldives, a meditation hallway complete with plants and waterfalls, and shaded outdoor areas large enough for entire units. Recreation facilities include basketball courts, Zumba classes, crochet and music programs, and detainees also have access to PlayStation consoles, a barber shop/beauty salon, and a non-denominational chapel. Meals are dietician-approved and tailored for kosher, halal, vegetarian, vegan, and allergy-sensitive diets.

Rep. Gail Armstrong (R–Magdalena) praised staff professionalism. “The facility was clean, well maintained, and detainees are treated with dignity,” Armstrong said. “Closing Otero would devastate our communities, including more than 300 jobs in Otero County alone.”

While Republicans and facility staff emphasized transparency, left-wing groups and activists condemned the tour as “sanitized.” The ACLU of New Mexico issued a statement calling it “theater” and demanding the passage of the so-called “Immigrant Safety Act” to close the state’s facilities. But Republicans pushed back, noting that legislators had full access to the operation.

Only one Democrat, Rep. Andrea Romero (D–Santa Fe), joined the tour — and promptly claimed she saw detainees “lying in despair” despite the apparent presence of recreation areas and amenities. Romero admitted that most detainees have no criminal history — before illegally crossing the country’s border — but downplayed the resources available, suggesting the facility put on a “rosy picture.” She also erroneously claimed these illegal aliens committed “civil” violations, although a 1996 law passed by Congress during the Bill Clinton administration makes crossing the border illegally a crime, not a “civil” violation.

Republicans and local officials countered that Romero misrepresented what she saw, ignoring access to attorneys, phones, law libraries, and recreation.

Sen. Nicholas Paul (R–Alamogordo) said the visit confirmed that closing Otero should not be a priority. “This facility is safe, clean, and humane. Shutting it down would be purely political,” Paul said.

Otero officials noted the facility also generates millions in gross receipts tax revenue and supports bond financing for local governments, making it a cornerstone of the county’s economy.

The bottom line, according to Brantley: “ICE will do its job no matter what. The choice is whether detainees are held in a clean, safe, accountable facility here in New Mexico, or somewhere else where we have no oversight at all.”

‘Beautiful, safe, humane’: Lawmakers tour Otero ICE facility, Dems livid Read More »

MLG’s office throws fit over Pres. Trump using National Guard to protect NM

22 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

President Donald Trump’s effort to secure America’s borders and crack down on illegal immigration has once again sent Democratic Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham into a tailspin. As Fox News revealed Friday, the Pentagon is preparing to mobilize up to 1,700 National Guard troops from 19 states — including New Mexico — to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in processing and detaining illegal migrants.

The deployments are expected to run from mid-August through mid-November, with the largest share of forces headed to Texas. Documents show Guard members will be tasked with critical support duties such as case management, transportation, logistical support, and clerical work. That includes booking detainees by collecting fingerprints, DNA samples, and photographs. The move provides ICE with badly needed manpower while ensuring the Guard’s role remains within the law.

But while Republican governors like Utah’s Spencer Cox expressed openness to supporting the mission, Lujan Grisham quickly announced she would oppose any deployment of Guard troops for immigration enforcement inside New Mexico.

“Gov. Lujan Grisham would oppose the deployment of National Guard troops to New Mexico to conduct immigration raids, and she certainly wouldn’t order ours up for that purpose,” her spokesperson Michael Coleman wrote. He claimed such enforcement would “terrorize communities, break up families and harm local economies.”

The governor’s familiar rhetoric is nothing new. Lujan Grisham has long resisted immigration enforcement efforts while insisting Congress should pass sweeping legislation to “fix” the system, despite her spending years in Congress without even an attempt at fixing the issue. Previously in her administration, she flatly denied the existence of a border crisis and removed National Guard troops from helping secure the border, which her predecessor, Republican former Gov. Susana Martinez, had previously deployed.

Lujan Grisham’s office tried to soften the blow by noting she has requested additional federal personnel and technology to help combat drug trafficking. But her refusal to support the use of the Guard — even for clerical and logistical duties — once again puts her at odds with Trump’s efforts to restore law and order.

New Mexico’s border with Mexico stretches roughly 180 miles, much of it sparsely populated and on federal land. About 50 miles of the state’s border had no barrier at the close of the Joe Biden regime. The most active areas, around Sunland Park and Santa Teresa, are already under heightened federal patrols. Bringing in Guard troops to assist ICE would only strengthen security and relieve overburdened officers. Yet the governor would rather score political points with her party’s base than cooperate with Washington to keep New Mexicans safe.

By contrast, Cox, Utah’s Republican governor, acknowledged the president’s authority and signaled his willingness to contribute. “As a dual-authority state, like others, the federal government does have the opportunity to call up the National Guard. The president has that authority,” Cox said. “What we’ve said from the very beginning is this: We are willing to work to support the efforts to remove people who are here illegally.”

The difference is stark. While Republican governors see the value of supporting federal enforcement, New Mexico’s governor predictably digs in her heels, attacking Trump’s strategy instead of helping to secure her own state.

Once again, Lujan Grisham is more concerned with protecting her political talking points than safeguarding her constituents. Meanwhile, Trump is doing what he promised — mobilizing every resource necessary to enforce America’s immigration laws and safeguard New Mexico’s communities.

MLG’s office throws fit over Pres. Trump using National Guard to protect NM Read More »

In border crackdown, Trump mobilizing National Guard in NM, other states

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The Pentagon has confirmed that National Guard units in New Mexico will be mobilized in the coming weeks to support federal immigration enforcement, part of a broader 19-state activation ordered by the Trump administration to combat illegal immigration and related crime.

Documents obtained by FOX News show up to 1,700 Guardsmen nationwide will assist the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The mobilizations, effective from late August through mid-November, will occur in states including Texas, Florida, Georgia, and New Mexico. Texas is expected to see the largest deployment, but New Mexico’s presence will play a critical role in supporting facilities such as the Otero County Processing Center and other ICE operations across the border region.

A White House official emphasized the deployments had been planned before President Trump’s recent comments about expanding federal law enforcement initiatives seen in Washington, D.C., to other parts of the country. “This isn’t new nor is it tied to the President’s efforts to address violent crime in DC,” the official said. Instead, the Pentagon says the deployments are designed to help DHS with “clerical support and other logistical tasks for processing illegal aliens at ICE facilities.”

In practice, Guard members in New Mexico and other states will not conduct direct law enforcement but will serve as vital support personnel. According to a U.S. defense official, duties will include case management, transportation, logistical support, and clerical functions. “The in-and-out processing may include personal data collection, fingerprinting, DNA swabbing and photographing of personnel in ICE custody,” the official said.

While opponents have criticized the deployments as an expansion of military involvement in immigration enforcement, the Pentagon points out that these missions fall under Title 32 Section 502F authority. That means Guardsmen remain under the control of their governors but can provide support functions without violating the Posse Comitatus Act, which restricts active military involvement in civilian law enforcement.

The mobilization comes as New Mexico Democrats, including Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, face pressure over their handling of ICE facilities in the state. The governor recently declined an invitation from Republican lawmakers to tour the Otero County Processing Center, citing a “busy schedule,” while her allies in the Legislature consider measures to ban such facilities outright. If enacted, the ban would eliminate hundreds of jobs and tens of millions of dollars in revenue for rural counties like Otero, Torrance, and Cibola — even as federal immigration enforcement expands and detainee populations continue to grow.

President Trump has made clear that these actions are part of his broader mission to restore law and order nationwide. Addressing federal agents and Guardsmen in Washington, D.C., he said: “We’re going to make it safe, and we’re going to then go on to other places.” On Friday, he added, “I think Chicago will be our next. And then we’ll help with New York.”

For New Mexico, the deployment means its Guard units will be directly integrated into the federal effort, supporting ICE’s case management and detention operations at a time when illegal border crossings are down and enforcement is ramping up. DHS has praised the Guard’s role as both a logistical backbone and a visible deterrent.

As the mobilizations roll out, the question for New Mexico is twofold: will the governor cooperate with federal partners to ensure a smooth mission, and will the Legislature jeopardize rural economies by targeting the very detention facilities where these Guard units are now preparing to serve?

In border crackdown, Trump mobilizing National Guard in NM, other states Read More »

Jobs on the line: Dems won’t even step inside the ICE facilities they want to ban

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Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has declined Republican lawmakers’ invitation to tour New Mexico’s largest immigration detention facility, citing a “busy schedule,” even as her party faces mounting criticism for canceling a long-promised legislative tour of the same center.

Republican legislators Rep. Andrea Reeb and Sen. Crystal Brantley had invited the governor to join them on Monday at the Otero County Processing Center in Chaparral, where an average of 863 detainees are currently held. But the governor’s spokesperson, Michael Coleman, brushed aside the request. “The governor has a busy schedule on Monday and won’t be joining in the tour,” he said, adding that no final decision has been made yet on whether the governor will seek to include a statewide ban on ICE facilities in her upcoming special session call.

The refusal coincides with a new controversy surrounding the Courts, Corrections, and Justice Committee (CCJ), which abruptly canceled its own long-planned visit to Otero. Records show the cancellation followed objections from Vice-Chair Christine Chandler (D–Los Alamos), a vocal opponent of ICE facilities. Committee Chair Sen. Joseph Cervantes (D–Las Cruces) has since issued two conflicting explanations, raising further questions about the real motivation.

In his most recent statement — circulated after Brantley arranged her own visit — Cervantes said the Otero stop was “not a sanctioned CCJ activity” and claimed Otero County could not “assure cooperation from ICE.” He also cited logistical concerns involving transportation, meals, and timing.

But in an earlier message to colleagues, Cervantes gave a different story. He claimed ICE had “not returned phone calls” and suggested committee members might be required to submit to background checks as a condition of entry — something he said “some members might reasonably object to.” In the same message, he admitted canceling the tour “in consultation with Rep. Chandler.” Background checks are standard for such tours, and using that as an excuse is objectively farcical.

Ironically, Chandler’s district has the most to lose if the move to attempt to shutter ICE facilities prompts the federal government to pull out of the vehemently hostile New Mexico, as her district encompasses Los Alamos National Labs, worth billions in revenue to the state. She still appears to want to poke the bear and anger the Trump administration, despite the consequences.

The shifting accounts have fueled accusations that Cervantes’ claims about ICE were little more than cover for partisan politics. Republicans note that Brantley successfully scheduled her own tour with a simple request, undermining the narrative that access was impossible. They argue the cancellation was prompted not by logistics, but by left-wing protests and internal opposition.

Instead of seeing the facility firsthand, Democrats on the committee have reworked the agenda to hear from Otero County commissioners, the governor’s staff, and proponents of legislation banning ICE contracts. Critics say this one-sided approach silences the voices of employees, families, and local officials who depend on the facilities.

The economic stakes are significant. According to federal data, Otero houses an average of 863 detainees daily, Torrance 444, and Cibola 223 — more than 1,500 people statewide. Together, these facilities sustain hundreds of jobs for correctional officers, medical personnel, and support staff. They also pump tens of millions of dollars into rural county budgets through federal contracts. Closing them would cripple local economies already struggling with limited revenue streams.

Moreover, closing facilities in New Mexico would not end immigration detention — detainees would simply be transferred elsewhere, including facilities in Texas, Florida’s “Alligator Alcatraz,” or even Guantanamo Bay. For New Mexico, that would mean all the economic loss without changing federal enforcement practices.

Republicans insist it is irresponsible to even begin to debate shutting down detention centers without lawmakers — and the governor — even setting foot inside to see operations firsthand. “Before we take any action with such far-reaching implications, it is essential that we have a clear understanding of the conditions within these facilities,” Reeb and Brantley wrote in their invitation to the governor.

While Democrats point to scheduling conflicts, logistical issues, and background check requirements, Republicans are moving forward with their tour on Monday. They say the public deserves transparency, and that decisions of this magnitude should be made with facts, not political spin.

For now, the contrast is sharp: Republicans are willing to confront the issue directly, while the governor and her legislative allies decline to see the facilities they are proposing to close — leaving New Mexico communities to wonder how their livelihoods and budgets will be protected if those doors are shuttered.

Jobs on the line: Dems won’t even step inside the ICE facilities they want to ban Read More »

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