She’s Protecting New Mexico Voters

Senator Cindy Nava arrived in the New Mexico State Senate in 2025 as the first former DACA recipient ever elected to a state Senate seat in U.S. history. She got to work immediately.

When the polls opened in New Mexico in 2026, something was different. For the first time in the country, a state passed its own law prohibiting armed federal personnel from polling locations and their surrounding areas - a protection fought for and won, in part, by NALEO Member, State Senator Cindy Nava, who represents Senate District 9 and has served in the New Mexico State Senate since 2025. Her co-sponsorship of Senate Bill 264 - which became law in March 2026 - made New Mexico the first state in the nation to legally prohibit armed federal personnel at polling locations. She also served as lead sponsor of Senate Bill 364 - which became law in April 2025 - opening the door for work-authorized immigrants to serve as law enforcement officers in New Mexico.

She didn't stop there.

She was also part of the legislative effort that led to the passage of House Bill 9, the Immigrant Safety Act - at a moment when Latino communities across the country are looking to their elected officials for reassurance and answers.

On October 4, 2026, her colleagues elected her Senate Majority Whip by acclamation-making her the first former DACA recipient in the country to serve in state Senate leadership.