HIM VOWED TO HELP PROTECT THEM. ALBUQUERQUE’S MAYOR SAYS THE CITY’S COMMITMENT TO REMAIN AN IMMIGRANT FRIENDLY CITY HAS NOW BEEN SOLIDIFIED. THIS IS WHAT OUR CITY STANDS FOR. THIS IS OUR OUR COLLECTIVE VALUES. TODAY’S EXECUTIVE ORDER DEMONSTRATES THAT HOLDING THE LINE IS NOT ENOUGH. WE MUST ALL ROLL UP OUR SLEEVES AND WORK TIRELESSLY TO PROTECT FELLOW. NEW MEXICANS. MAYOR TIM KELLER, ISSUING THIS EXECUTIVE ORDER TO PROTECT IMMIGRANT RIGHTS AND REFUGEE COMMUNITIES ON MONDAY. AS THE DAUGHTER OF A CONSTRUCTION WORKER AND OF A LADY WHO CLEANS HOUSES FOR A LIVING. AND NOW SITTING IN THE STATE SENATE. THINGS ARE SURREAL. BUT WHEN WE THINK OF THE FOLKS THAT ARE BEING TARGETED, YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT MY FAMILY. YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT OUR NEIGHBORS FROM PROTECTION OF IMMIGRATION, DUE PROCESS TO PROSECUTING IMPERSONATORS, A LAW ENFORCEMENT TO DEFRAUD OR HARM RESIDENTS. TAKE OFF THE — MASK. WHAT ARE THEY AFRAID OF? ON AMAZON, YOU CAN GET THIS JACKET. IT SAYS I’S BORDER PATROL FOR 30 BUCKS, YOU CAN GET THE HAT FOR ANOTHER 15. THAT’S HOW EASY IT IS TO BECOME ONE OF THESE IMPOSTER THUGS THAT ARE GOING AROUND OUR COMMUNITY, TERRORIZING OUR FAMILIES. THE MOVE COMES AFTER FEDERAL LEGISLATION AND POLICIES UNDER PRESIDENT TRUMP’S ADMINISTRATION TO HELP CRACK DOWN ON IMMIGRATION. WHETHER IT IS ICE AGENTS POPPING OUT OF VANS, WEARING MASKS, ROUNDING UP PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT EVEN IMMIGRANTS, WHO ARE NATIVE AMERICANS, THIS IS MORE LIKE TERROR. THAT’S WHAT THAT IS. IT IS WRONG IN TERMS OF POLICY. NO MATTER HOW YOU LOOK AT IT, IT IS NOT EFFECTIVE IN ANY WAY. NO MATTER WHAT YOU BELIEVE. ARE YOU ARE THE LATEST MAN TASED AND DETAINED INSIDE OF THIS WALMART. EARLIER THIS MONTH, ICE AGENTS SAYING HE WAS IN THE COUNTRY ILLEGALLY AND WAS RECENTLY ARRESTED BY THE ALBUQUERQUE POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR EVADING POLICE TO OBSTRUCTING AN OFFICER. HIS ARREST SPARKING OUTRAGE. ON SUNDAY. WE’RE NOT GOING TO LET US DO THE THING THAT THEY ARE DOING HERE. THEY ARE LITERALLY TAKIN
Executive order issued to protect immigrant rights in Albuquerque
“It is wrong in terms of policy, no matter how you look at it. it is not effective in any way, no matter what you believe,” Mayor Tim Keller said
On Monday, July 21, Mayor Tim Keller issued an executive order to protect immigrant rights and refugee communities. Keller was joined alongside El CENTRO de Igualdad y Derechos, state leaders and a few Albuquerque city councilors as he signed off on the executive order to help solidify their beliefs in reaffirming Albuquerque’s commitment as an immigrant-friendly city.Related: Class-Action lawsuit filed to prohibit ‘ICE’ courthouse arrests “Whether it is ICE agents popping out of vans wearing masks, rounding up people who are not even immigrants, who are Native Americans who are legally here in the city, all over — whether it’s McDonald’s or it’s Walmart. This has nothing to do with immigration policy. This is more like terror. That’s what that is,” Keller said during Monday’s announcement. According to the city of Albuquerque, the order is in response to recent federal legislation and enforcement practices they believe threaten due process, destabilize families and undermine trust in local government.”It is wrong in terms of policy, no matter how you look at it — it is not effective in any way, no matter what you believe — And No. 2, it’s wrong morally. That’s why we are reaffirming and going further today to make sure that Albuquerque represents all our families, especially in this time, our immigrant families,” Keller said. Key Provisions of the Executive Order:Protection of Immigration Due ProcessReaffirms that no City department, agency, or employee shall use City resources to assist in federal civil immigration enforcement, including raids, detentions, or information-sharing, unless legally required.Implementation and OversightDesignates the Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI) to lead implementation.Directs the Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA) Steering Committee to gather community feedback and coordinate support services with legal providers, schools, and non-profits.Requires all departments to designate liaisons and report progress to the Mayor.Transparency in City ServicesProhibits City staff from supporting secret ICE activity in public facilities.Requires departments to report any ICE activity at City facilities to the Mayor’s Office and OEI.Allows APD to confirm ICE activity only when requested by the public.Commits to prosecuting individuals who impersonate law enforcement to defraud or harm residents. Transparency in Federal Immigration EnforcementDirects the City Attorney to file regular Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests to DHS and ICE and share findings with the public and City departments.Reiterates that ICE must clearly identify its officers and avoid harmful or disruptive detainment tactics in public spaces.Protection of Children, Including Migrant YouthInstructs all departments serving youth to develop trauma-informed protocols to support children affected by immigration enforcement.Support for Working FamiliesDirects departments to identify services and assistance for families impacted by federal actions, particularly related to housing, healthcare, employment, and education.Expands virtual access to services to support safe interaction with government systems.“ICE’s recent raids have spread fear and targeted families who are part of our city’s fabric. Let me be clear — we do not stand with these raids,” City Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn said. “Immigrant communities deserve safety, respect and dignity — not to be terrorized. That’s why my colleagues and I will soon introduce proposals to strengthen protections and uphold the values of inclusion and justice for all.” Republican Party of New Mexico statementKOAT reached out to the Republican Party of New Mexico regarding the city’s executive order for immigrant rights. Chairwoman Amy Barela sent the following statement:“Less than two weeks ago, ICE officers in Texas were ambushed and shot at, yet Mayor Tim Keller has chosen to prioritize illegal immigrants over the federal law enforcement officers that protect and serve our communities. Unfortunately for the people of Albuquerque, Mayor Keller’s executive order does nothing to improve public safety or increase the number of good paying jobs available, but it does ensure he receives media attention. Voters would be wise to remember his priorities at the ballot box and oppose his reelection.” Alex Uballez StatementAlbuquerque mayoral candidate Alex Uballez sent us a statement:”I’m glad to see the Mayor responding to the proposals we’ve made, but it shouldn’t take a competitive election to light a fire under him to protect our city. Today’s reaffirmation fell far short of the solutions our community deserves, prioritizing the optics of safety instead of actually operationalizing it. Our immigrant communities and their advocates are working so hard in this moment, they deserve a mayor who will match their energy with the power at his disposal. Instead, there’s still more that can be done to better protect our rights and our communities. That was true before the incumbent’s press conference and is still true after the fact.”Daniel Chavez StatementAlbuquerque mayoral candidate Daniel Chavez sent us a statement:”Now that it is politically beneficial for him, Tim Keller has decided safety for Albuquerque residents is important after years of letting chaos, crime and law enforcement corruption exist. I believe it is critical to implement law enforcement transparency and to make sure our communities are not suffering or living in fear. I’ll make it a priority all the time, not just when it’s politically convenient.”Louie Sanchez StatementAlbuquerque mayoral candidate Louie Sanchez sent us a statement:“This executive order does nothing to protect law-abiding members of the immigrant community in Albuquerque. Mayor Keller is doing what he does best: grandstanding and using fear-mongering in order to accumulate more power to himself. Further, this signals to the violent criminal element of this city that Tim Keller sides with them. In fact, this harms, not helps, the immigrant community because the immigrant population bears the brunt of this lawlessness and violence. If he really cared about immigrants he would want to make their community safe, as well.”Darren White StatementAlbuquerque mayoral candidate Darren White sent us a statement:“This is nothing more than Mayor Keller doubling down on his dangerous policy of providing sanctuary to illegal immigrants who have committed serious crimes, rather than prioritizing the safety and well-being of our law-abiding residents. He’s veering further to the radical left, using fear-based rhetoric and divisive language to score political points while placing federal law enforcement officers in danger.”Mayling Armijo StatementAlbuquerque mayoral candidate Mayling Armijo sent us a statement:“I believe every family in Albuquerque — regardless of where they’re from — deserves to feel safe. But let’s be honest: signing an executive order doesn’t fix our broken police department. Mayor Keller says he wants to build trust, but under his watch, response times are unacceptable, recruitment is down, and we still haven’t seen real leadership from the top. If we want a city where everyone feels protected, we need to start by hiring a new police chief, boosting APD staffing, and restoring accountability to a system that’s failing too many residents. Immigrant safety begins with a city that works — and right now, it doesn’t.”City Councilors StatementCity Councilors Dan Lewis, Renée Grout, and Dan Champine issued the following joint statement:”These executive orders are nothing more than dangerous political theater by the Mayor. If a resolution comes before the Council to codify orders that interfere with federal law enforcement’s pursuit of criminals, we will introduce an amendment requiring that federal authorities be given access to the Prisoner Booking Center – the location all criminals are taken when arrested. Mayor Keller specifically prohibited federal law enforcement access to this location when he took office. Public safety should never be compromised for political posturing. The people of Albuquerque are tired of this Mayor playing games while violent criminals roam our streets and terrorize our neighborhoods. We will not stand by and allow this administration to continue undermining the safety of our city.”Stay updated on the latest news with the KOAT app. Download here.
On Monday, July 21, Mayor Tim Keller issued an executive order to protect immigrant rights and refugee communities. Keller was joined alongside El CENTRO de Igualdad y Derechos, state leaders and a few Albuquerque city councilors as he signed off on the executive order to help solidify their beliefs in reaffirming Albuquerque’s commitment as an immigrant-friendly city.
Related: Class-Action lawsuit filed to prohibit ‘ICE’ courthouse arrests
“Whether it is ICE agents popping out of vans wearing masks, rounding up people who are not even immigrants, who are Native Americans who are legally here in the city, all over — whether it’s McDonald’s or it’s Walmart. This has nothing to do with immigration policy. This is more like terror. That’s what that is,” Keller said during Monday’s announcement.
According to the city of Albuquerque, the order is in response to recent federal legislation and enforcement practices they believe threaten due process, destabilize families and undermine trust in local government.
“It is wrong in terms of policy, no matter how you look at it — it is not effective in any way, no matter what you believe — And No. 2, it’s wrong morally. That’s why we are reaffirming and going further today to make sure that Albuquerque represents all our families, especially in this time, our immigrant families,” Keller said.
Key Provisions of the Executive Order:
Protection of Immigration Due Process
- Reaffirms that no City department, agency, or employee shall use City resources to assist in federal civil immigration enforcement, including raids, detentions, or information-sharing, unless legally required.
Implementation and Oversight
- Designates the Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI) to lead implementation.
- Directs the Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA) Steering Committee to gather community feedback and coordinate support services with legal providers, schools, and non-profits.
- Requires all departments to designate liaisons and report progress to the Mayor.
Transparency in City Services
- Prohibits City staff from supporting secret ICE activity in public facilities.
- Requires departments to report any ICE activity at City facilities to the Mayor’s Office and OEI.
- Allows APD to confirm ICE activity only when requested by the public.
- Commits to prosecuting individuals who impersonate law enforcement to defraud or harm residents.
Transparency in Federal Immigration Enforcement
- Directs the City Attorney to file regular Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests to DHS and ICE and share findings with the public and City departments.
- Reiterates that ICE must clearly identify its officers and avoid harmful or disruptive detainment tactics in public spaces.
Protection of Children, Including Migrant Youth
- Instructs all departments serving youth to develop trauma-informed protocols to support children affected by immigration enforcement.
Support for Working Families
- Directs departments to identify services and assistance for families impacted by federal actions, particularly related to housing, healthcare, employment, and education.
- Expands virtual access to services to support safe interaction with government systems.
“ICE’s recent raids have spread fear and targeted families who are part of our city’s fabric. Let me be clear — we do not stand with these raids,” City Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn said. “Immigrant communities deserve safety, respect and dignity — not to be terrorized. That’s why my colleagues and I will soon introduce proposals to strengthen protections and uphold the values of inclusion and justice for all.”
Republican Party of New Mexico statement
KOAT reached out to the Republican Party of New Mexico regarding the city’s executive order for immigrant rights. Chairwoman Amy Barela sent the following statement:
“Less than two weeks ago, ICE officers in Texas were ambushed and shot at, yet Mayor Tim Keller has chosen to prioritize illegal immigrants over the federal law enforcement officers that protect and serve our communities. Unfortunately for the people of Albuquerque, Mayor Keller’s executive order does nothing to improve public safety or increase the number of good paying jobs available, but it does ensure he receives media attention. Voters would be wise to remember his priorities at the ballot box and oppose his reelection.”
Alex Uballez Statement:
Albuquerque mayoral candidate Alex Uballez sent us a statement:
“I’m glad to see the Mayor responding to the proposals we’ve made, but it shouldn’t take a competitive election to light a fire under him to protect our city. Today’s reaffirmation fell far short of the solutions our community deserves, prioritizing the optics of safety instead of actually operationalizing it. Our immigrant communities and their advocates are working so hard in this moment, they deserve a mayor who will match their energy with the power at his disposal. Instead, there’s still more that can be done to better protect our rights and our communities. That was true before the incumbent’s press conference and is still true after the fact.”
Daniel Chavez Statement:
Albuquerque mayoral candidate Daniel Chavez sent us a statement:
“Now that it is politically beneficial for him, Tim Keller has decided safety for Albuquerque residents is important after years of letting chaos, crime and law enforcement corruption exist. I believe it is critical to implement law enforcement transparency and to make sure our communities are not suffering or living in fear. I’ll make it a priority all the time, not just when it’s politically convenient.”
Louie Sanchez Statement:
Albuquerque mayoral candidate Louie Sanchez sent us a statement:
“This executive order does nothing to protect law-abiding members of the immigrant community in Albuquerque. Mayor Keller is doing what he does best: grandstanding and using fear-mongering in order to accumulate more power to himself. Further, this signals to the violent criminal element of this city that Tim Keller sides with them. In fact, this harms, not helps, the immigrant community because the immigrant population bears the brunt of this lawlessness and violence. If he really cared about immigrants he would want to make their community safe, as well.”
Darren White Statement:
Albuquerque mayoral candidate Darren White sent us a statement:
“This is nothing more than Mayor Keller doubling down on his dangerous policy of providing sanctuary to illegal immigrants who have committed serious crimes, rather than prioritizing the safety and well-being of our law-abiding residents. He’s veering further to the radical left, using fear-based rhetoric and divisive language to score political points while placing federal law enforcement officers in danger.”
Mayling Armijo Statement
Albuquerque mayoral candidate Mayling Armijo sent us a statement:
“I believe every family in Albuquerque — regardless of where they’re from — deserves to feel safe. But let’s be honest: signing an executive order doesn’t fix our broken police department. Mayor Keller says he wants to build trust, but under his watch, response times are unacceptable, recruitment is down, and we still haven’t seen real leadership from the top. If we want a city where everyone feels protected, we need to start by hiring a new police chief, boosting APD staffing, and restoring accountability to a system that’s failing too many residents. Immigrant safety begins with a city that works — and right now, it doesn’t.”
City Councilors Statement:
City Councilors Dan Lewis, Renée Grout, and Dan Champine issued the following joint statement:
“These executive orders are nothing more than dangerous political theater by the Mayor. If a resolution comes before the Council to codify orders that interfere with federal law enforcement’s pursuit of criminals, we will introduce an amendment requiring that federal authorities be given access to the Prisoner Booking Center – the location all criminals are taken when arrested. Mayor Keller specifically prohibited federal law enforcement access to this location when he took office. Public safety should never be compromised for political posturing. The people of Albuquerque are tired of this Mayor playing games while violent criminals roam our streets and terrorize our neighborhoods. We will not stand by and allow this administration to continue undermining the safety of our city.”
Stay updated on the latest news with the KOAT app. Download .
