Know Your Rights: Immigrant Resources
Policy changes at the federal level can directly impact immigrant communities in New Mexico. This page provides information on local resources and community services available to support immigrants and their families, but my office cannot provide legal assistance.
As your representative, I want to ensure that New Mexicans have access to the tools and support they need to navigate these changes and stay informed.
You have guaranteed rights under the Constitution:
The U.S. Constitution guarantees certain basic rights to everyone in this country no matter who is president. If you are an immigrant, you should know your rights if you have an encounter with law enforcement or an immigration agent:
- You have the right to remain silent.
- You do not have to sign any documents without consulting an attorney.
- You do not have to open the door. If ICE does not have a warrant signed by a judge, they cannot enter your home.
- You have the right to ask “Am I free to go?”
- If they arrest you, you can ask to speak with an attorney.
- You do not have to share your immigration status or your place of birth.
- You can report and document raids and arrests to share with attorneys and advocacy organizations.
- Stay calm and do not resist officers.
- Do not lie or show or use any fraudulent documents
Click Here for more information from the ACLU about Immigrants' Rights.
New Mexico Legal Resources
New Mexico Immigrant Law Center
At NMILC, our goal is to make high-quality legal representation accessible to low-income immigrant communities. Thanks to grants, donors, and our pro bono attorneys, we never have to charge our clients.
The Santa Fe Dreamers project is non-profit organization that provides free legal representation to immigrant youth and their family. Provides a weekly walk in legal clinic to clients seeking assistance with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) in Albuquerque and surrounding communities, hosted at Casa de Salud in the South Valley.
Catholic Charities provides low-cost immigration legal assistance to immigrants, U.S. citizens, and U.S. legal permanent residents in gaining or maintaining immigration status for themselves or for family members in order to preserve or restore family unity.
New Mexico Community Resources
El Centro de Igualdad y Derechos
El Centro de Igualdal y Derechos is a grassroots, Latino immigrant led organization based in Central New Mexico that works with Latino immigrant communities and allies to defend, strengthen, and advance the rights of our community. National Immigration Project Pre-Raid Community Safety Plan.
The New Mexico Dream Team is a statewide network committed to create power for multigenerational, undocumented, and mixed status families towards liberation.
Somos, founded in 1995, is a statewide community-based and immigrant-led organization that promotes worker and racial justice.
Small Business Resources
To view know your rights information for small businesses, click here.
Para ver la información de conozca sus derechos para pequeños comerciantes, haga clic aquí.