Santa Fe Stands Together: City and County United Following Federal Immigration Enforcement Activity

City and County reaffirm their commitment to immigrant families, civil liberties, safe public spaces, and public safety for everyone who calls Santa Fe home.

The City of Santa Fe is aware of the traumatic and frightening events involving federal immigration enforcement activity in our community today. We recognize that these events may have left residents feeling frightened, uncertain, or vulnerable, and we want our community to know that the City of Santa Fe and Santa Fe County stand with all Santa Fe residents.

Our message is clear: You are part of our community. You deserve dignity and safety. You should be able to call the police, take your child to a doctor, seek housing or food assistance, and access public services without fear.

"I know the events involving ICE activity in Santa Fe today are frightening and deeply unsettling for many of our residents. I want our community to know that the City of Santa Fe stands with its residents and is committed to protecting the safety, dignity, and rights of everyone who calls our city home.

The City is taking concrete steps to support our community, including legislation to prohibit ICE from staging or conducting enforcement operations on City property. We will continue working with our community partners to provide information, resources, and support to residents who may be affected.

I encourage everyone to rely on trusted sources for information. Santa Fe is a community that cares for its neighbors, and we will continue to stand together during this difficult time," said Mayor Michael Garcia.

Santa Fe Police did not participate in the federal immigration enforcement operations reported today. Federal immigration enforcement is not the responsibility of the Santa Fe Police Department. Under City policy and City Council Resolution 1999-6, municipal resources are not used to identify or apprehend a noncitizen resident solely based on immigration status unless otherwise lawfully required.

The Santa Fe County Sheriff did not participate with ICE, and Santa Fe County has established similar protections. Under County Resolution No. 2025-015, the Adult Detention Facility does not honor ICE administrative warrants or house immigrants for civil immigration violations; the Sheriff's Office does not participate in ICE's 287(g) program or directly enforce federal immigration law; and County services remain available regardless of citizenship or immigration status.

"Our families do not stop at a City or County boundary. We are one Santa Fe community," said Santa Fe County Commissioner Lisa Cacari Stone, District 2. "When people become afraid to call police, seek health care, find housing, or ask government for help, our entire community becomes less safe. Community trust is public safety. Dignity is public safety. Protecting civil liberties is public safety."

Building Safe Spaces / Espacios Seguros

The City is pursuing legislation to prohibit ICE from staging or conducting immigration enforcement operations on City property. City and County leaders can build upon that action through a regional Safe Spaces / Espacios Seguros commitment at participating City and County facilities, libraries, community centers, housing, and Community Services locations.

Such an initiative could include bilingual signage explaining residents' rights and establishing clear rules governing access to non-public areas. The scope and language would be subject to review by City and County attorneys.

Together, these actions send an important message: our local public institutions exist to serve and protect our residents-not to create fear.

The City and County will continue providing residents with trusted information and Know Your Rights resources. Santa Fe County maintains a bilingual immigration resource page connecting residents to legal, health, housing, food, and behavioral-health services. Visit the Santa Fe County Immigration Information webpage www.nmilc.org/toolkit for more information.

The City and County recognize and value that our immigrant families are woven into Santa Fe's history, culture, workforce, and future. We will stand together against discrimination, profiling and fear, and for the constitutional and human rights of every person we serve.

Residents who are victims or witnesses of crimes, or who need immediate local law-enforcement assistance, should call 9-1-1. Santa Fe Police remain focused on serving and protecting the entire community.

Santa Fe stands together. No resident should feel alone or afraid to seek help.

Recources

City of Santa Fe: Welcome to Santa Fe New Mexico | City of Santa Fe

New Mexico Immigrant Law Center: Know Your Rights Toolkit

Santa Fe County: Know Your Rights / Conozca Sus Derechos

Santa Fe County Resolution No. 2025-015

Media Contacts:

City of Santa Fe: Peter Olson [email protected](505) 819-1062

Santa Fe County: Shawna Graves [email protected]