As the Trump administration moves decisively to uphold federal immigration laws and protect American citizens, far-left Democrat leaders in New Mexico are proudly doubling down on their defiance.
Chief among them is Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller, who took to X to gloat about the city’s inclusion on the Department of Homeland Security’s official list of “sanctuary jurisdictions” — an indicator of non-compliance with federal immigration statutes.
“We expected this designation — Albuquerque’s immigrant-friendly policies reflect who we are,” Keller posted, calling it “a badge of courage” and vowing not to be “bullied” into enforcing federal law. Rather than expressing concern about the potential loss of federal funds or the safety implications of harboring criminal aliens, Keller made clear that his administration is committed to ideological resistance, no matter the cost to law-abiding residents.
The list, published on May 29, includes 23 New Mexico counties and two cities — Albuquerque and Santa Fe — that, according to DHS, refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. This followed President Donald Trump’s April 28 executive order directing federal agencies to withhold funding from jurisdictions that shield illegal aliens from deportation.
In a statement that underscores the lawless posture of sanctuary cities, DHS wrote: “Each jurisdiction listed will receive formal notification of its non-compliance with Federal statutes. DHS demands that these jurisdictions immediately review and revise their policies to align with Federal immigration laws and renew their obligation to protect American citizens, not dangerous illegal aliens.”
But rather than taking this warning seriously, Democrats like Keller seem emboldened. His X post reflects the same out-of-touch political theater that has defined the progressive left’s stance on immigration, where shielding criminal aliens is viewed as virtuous, and federal law is something to scoff at.
Indeed, it’s not just defiance — it’s negligence. The dangerous policies pushed by Keller and fellow Democrats, including far-left Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, jeopardize public safety and disrespect the rule of law. The governor’s office, instead of committing to work with federal authorities, issued a deflective statement suggesting that counties might have been “mischaracterized.” No apology. No commitment to course-correct. Just more spin.
Meanwhile, radical organizations like the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center are already planning to double down in the next legislative session to further “protect” illegal immigrants, with the enthusiastic backing of progressive lawmakers and municipal leaders.
It’s no wonder New Mexico continues to struggle with crime, drug trafficking, and cartel violence. Sanctuary policies attract criminals, overwhelm resources, and endanger legal residents. President Trump’s administration is finally putting sanctuary jurisdictions on notice. Whether New Mexico Democrats will ever put citizens first remains to be seen — but judging by Keller’s gloating, their loyalty lies not with the American people, but with lawlessness.
I have lived in NM for 40 years. we have not moved forward like other states have. zero population growth for decades. poverty galore. and as NM has gotten more democrat blue, it has gotten so much worse. Tim Keller and his “values”. I would laugh if it wasnt so sad. Keller has a good chance to be mayor for a third term. The voters are that stupid. what happened to the people here ? poor schooling ? drugs ? low IQ’s ? brainwashing ? we are every bit as lousy as Calif and the democrats wont stop making it worse. the voters are to blame. this state is not going to survive with the policies democrats push. we are all going to starve one day. day by day, it gets worse, more expensive, less law and order. its criminal. and to top it off, now 770 KKOB is bringing Marty Chavez and Pat Davis on as a host in the afternoon where theu invite the people that have failed us in state govt and greet them as omnipotent guru heroes. its beyond ridiculous.
Dittos – I’ve been here 42 years and have seen the decline of the state and especially the Albuquerque area. Keller has to be the absolute worst mayor this city has seen – at least in my 42 years here. Truly sad that even a crazy blue state like Colorado is outpacing us (economically at least). The “D” next to the candidates name is all that seems to be needed to get elected. Well “D” obviously stands for “Dumbazz” – both the candidate and the voter.
I hope the President does remove funding. They don’t care though, MLG’s house and airstrip is finished at Navajo Lake, and I’m sure all these out of touch dumb dems will be Compensated. They Do NOT care about the law!! They are not in there for the people of NM they are there to line their pockets.
And, do anything to defy President Trump. Talk about TDS. Nothing will ever change in this state because the majority of the people just keep voting Democrat because that’s the way their families have always done it that way. They are ignorant to what is really going on in the roundhouse.
Resistance is futile.
Where is the list?
dhs.gov/sanctuary-juri
https://www.kob.com/new-mexico/dhs-labels-nearly-every-new-mexico-county-as-sanctuary-jurisdictions/
These leftist Dems don’t represent us.
So tired of weak Soy Boy politicians from the bowels of Alb and SF. How about we elect reps from the outlying areas who actually want to make NM better than being parasites like the embedded NM politicians that only want to climb the political ladder that we always get. Sounds good on paper but not possible with the UNM lib voters and SF soys outnumbering us. Sigh.
I’ve lived in Espanola for 53 years. Albuquerque for 6 before that. Anyway, the senator from my district Leo Jaramillo is as much a soy boy as any in Santa Fe or Albuquerque. Joseph Sanchez the rep is not much better. Both dems. So just looking outside SF or Albq for “leaders” is not going to solve any problems IMO.
I know for a fact that this list is not correct. From what it appears if you are listed as a sanctuary city/county for any reason you’re on the list. There are different reasons to have resolutions/ordinances that DO NOT include anti-immigration/law enforcement policies. This is a very deceitful way of portraying New Mexico because the majority of counties in New Mexico are very conservative and law abiding.
https://www.kob.com/new-mexico/dhs-labels-nearly-every-new-mexico-county-as-sanctuary-jurisdictions/
It’s amusing because there are S2 sanctuary counties. This is what it means. A Second Amendment sanctuary, also known as a gun sanctuary, is a state, county, or locality in the United States that has adopted laws or resolutions to prohibit or impede the enforcement of certain gun control measures which are perceived to violate the Second Amendment, such as universal gun background checks, high capacity (etc)
It’s 2A – for the Second Ammendment to the Constitution.
Amusing?
The 2A sanctuary is to prevent the suppression of a fundamental right spelled out at the federal level (not granted). It is a sanctuary against the tyrannical and oppressive overeach of the communofascists. This sanctuary has been brought about by the communofascists disregarding federal laws by infringing on rights under the 2nd Ammendment.
The illegal immigrant sanctuaries are the communofascists disregarding federal law in order to import criminals and anyone else who does not share American values and culture. This is done in an effort to undermine and destroy the country by overburderdening and cultural division. This is the communofascist disregarding federal laws, again.
How amusing is that?
Keller must be either getting kickbacks from the cartels or he WANTS the criminals to stay in our state. Either way, horrible policies.
There was a time when New Mexico was truly the “Land of Enchantment” as one of the most free and beautiful states in the Nation, based upon a sort of neutrality that we could all be proud to tout. In the 1940s, 50s, and 60s, both liberals and conservatives were bible-toting 2nd Amendment gun owners. Nearly every pickup truck had a gun rack behind the seat with one or two LOADED weapons (preferably a lever-action 30-30 varmint gun), and no one in the community thought anything of it — much less try to steal it. Today, the communist Democrat Party and RINO Republican influence has stripped the State of a vibrant middle class, transformed the State into a 2-class, dumbed-down, and drugged-out society, and trashed everything from the basic lumber, cattle, mining, and oil & gas industries, thus turning Santa Fe and other parts of the State into the #2 LGBTQ populous in America, to construct a lawless, out of control government run by elite thieves that fails to comprehend the once vibrant “work ethic” and respect for one’s neighbors. Everything was fine until Jesse Jackson and the Rainbow Coalition lit the spark of hippy-dom and community living — drove out the industries to live in relative squalor with virtually everything pointed toward “keeping the natives” (literally) down on the farm, plied with drugs, liquor and eventually guiding indigenous peoples into bankruptcy, poverty, and eventual extinction. I grew up in that State as a kid in Carrizozo and Tucumcari, and lived in retirement in Ruidoso for nine otherwise miserable years. Today, I see nothing about the State of New Mexico of redemptive value North of I-40… it has become a communist wasteland where out-of-state carpetbagging kingpins get richer, and the disadvantaged are driven to the poorhouse in increasing numbers. What continues to be laughable is THEY lay claim to everything D.E.I. – when, in fact, THEY are doing precisely the opposite by design to destroy a once vibrant merit-based society, intentionally. …No problem, though. We folks in Arizona and Texas, with our guns & bibles in hand and a solid work ethic based on merit — are happy to steal your industries away from you. ‘Sorry. …NOT Sorry!’ All I can say in a positive light is “thanks.” — New Mexico depends on waning Feral Goobermint spending — but it will be the origin of your self-inflicted demise! The national taxpayer “water spigot” has been TURNED OFF by MAGA! The Democrat Party will not see true national power again for another one hundred years. (And, by all means, don’t re-elect Tim Keller or Michele Lujan-Grisham, for any office including dog-catcher – THEY are the problem.) Call me in 50 years or more when DemoRats finally begin to understand those truths and get back inside the lines of law-abiding civility and long-term economic viability. The ride’s over, cowboys and cowgirls! We are arriving at the MAGA station. … All Feral Goobermint free-loaders are cut-off …now you must exit the train of Marxist life … or die slowly and painfully. Sad — but true. …All ya’all have a nice day, now… Ya’ hear?
You have the same problem in your state, and it’s growing. That influx of Californians is not doing you much good.
People who vote Democrat are sheep being lead to the slaughter they believe all lies of Democrats all I can say just let me catch one of the Illegals try anything on my property they are going to meet their maker
Harvard produced another turd when Tim graduated. I havent heard Keller say anything that made sense in several years. Go away Tim, its not our fault you cant get a real job. we are tired of supporting your dumb azz
It’s time for the adults to run NM.
The only way this will stop is if a MS-13 or Tren de argua gang banger does the dirty-nasty to a Democrat politicians family……………
A long time ago, Rush Limbaugh coined the phrase, “Low Information Voter”. That describes NM voters.
Keller is a foolish man who is one of MLG’s (ungodly and evil person) comrades. People need to wake up and vote this fool out of office. Until that happens, nothing will change. And vote out the other idiots in the round house that are selling our state to the highest bidder.
He’s blind like Helen Keller, just not as smart.
Pandering ‘Black Face’…or should I say Lavender Face? I hope to FBI and Tom Homan show up to New Mexico and arrest MLG and Mayor Tim, and AG. But you know, Democrats are ‘above the Law’. See: Biden and Obama, and Pelosi and Schiff, Swallowell and etc etc etc.
Unfortunately the bigger egg on the face with this issue is squarely on the Trump admin and Tom Homan (sp). Eddy Co. Undersheriff Mark Cage posted a copy of a statement from Nat’l Sheriffs’ Assn. saying, essentially, the list is bogus.
Lincoln County is not a sanctuary County for illegal aliens. We support Federal Immigration Laws and Federal Law Enforcement. Neither the Sheriff or Board of County Commissioners support establishing sanctuary for illegal aliens. The only sanctuary issue we support is the 2nd Amendment! We also support the whole U.S. Constitution in Lincoln County.
The reason Keller says this is because he knows nothing is going to happen. Patel, Homan, and Tactical Barbie are all talk. For months now tough talk but little action. Pulling funds from NM would be devastating and those affected are going to vote Democratic for the rest of their lives.
First time Ive heard of an airstrip up in Navajo Lake. Interesting. I’ve lived here for all of my 68 years and the state has not moved forward. The problem lies in the people who vote. Want change? Then vote in change. Otherwise we remain last in the best and first in the worst.
The Center for Immigration Studies, CIS, has all New Mexico counties listed as sanctuary counties for illegal aliens. I thought the dwarf mandated this a while back. Anyway this is what they say.
Eddy County is NOT an illegal alien sanctuary. I just spoke with one of our commissioners and this “error” will be investigated.
I would expect nothing less than an apology from the governor and the news media for getting this so very wrong.😡
The last paragraph of this article sums the situation up perfectly. For decades now, if the left is called out on dumb policy, at federal, state or local levels, the response, more often than not, is to double, triple and quadruple down on the bad (or anti-American) positions. New Mexico is beautiful and unique culturally, but its citizens keep voting in officials who seek control and personal power instead of what’s best for our communities.
until we completely reform our elections and get rid of our all Dominion election system (which, AS THE POOREST STATE IN THE UNION, cannot afford, at all) New Mexico will never get out of this pit of misery. We are the Petri dish of America. We have been used since our inception as a state. Wake the F up New Mexico!
Will NM ever stop embarrassing us? I travel the States a lot for work and sport by truck & trailer. (semi-retired) Since 2020 we have been doing 90% of our shopping out of state. The BEST grocery stores in our Capitol are ghetto as F. They cannot even measure up to the worst stores in most states. There is a person begging on every corner, every median…it is disgusting and embarrassing. Keller and MLG are doing a fabulous job of continuing the losing streak in every category. When asked in other states what state I am from….”the ghetto state” is my answer and NO ONE gets it wrong. Embarrassing.
Sorry….zero hope for this state. I fought for years….done.
Entering US illegally is a crime and helping illegals is a crime.
“Immigrant” is BS; they are all criminals that have invaded our country and all should be deported.
(1). Does Keller live in a gated community and have extra security access as mayor of Allbuquerque? Probably.
(2). Sanctuary cities provide green light for human trafficking and child sex trafficking. Keller must be getting $ from the cartels.