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Committee advances bill allowing work‑authorized immigrants to serve as police officers and sheriffs’ deputies
Summary
Legislation to let lawful permanent residents and DACA recipients apply for state law‑enforcement positions advanced from committee after supporters said it would help staffing shortages; some members asked DPS for implementation details and background-check procedures.
The House Judiciary Committee gave a do‑pass recommendation to Senate Bill 364, a bipartisan measure that would remove the statutory citizenship requirement for police officers and sheriff’s deputies and permit those with federal work authorization — including lawful permanent residents and DACA recipients — to apply for positions in New Mexico law enforcement.
Senator Linda M. Nava (co‑sponsor) and other backers told the committee that the change would enlarge the recruiting pool for departments facing staffing shortfalls, particularly in rural counties. The sponsor said the bill could open the applicant pool to roughly 51,000 additional New Mexicans who hold work authorization.
Officials and supporters told the committee they expect candidates would still be subject to the same hiring standards, background checks, medical and psychological exams, and training requirements as all other applicants. Blue Island, Illinois, Chief Jeffrey Farr described hiring DACA recipients as cadets and said bilingual officers improved community engagement; he reported that his department had seven DACA‑era cadets on the roster.
Representatives questioned whether the Department of Public Safety (DPS) had been consulted about implementation details such as background checks, polygraphs, ongoing clearance of work authorization, academy costs and recertification. The sponsor said the committee had not received DPS testimony but referenced departments and municipalities that have already implemented similar approaches in other states.
The committee adopted a due‑pass recommendation; recorded roll call showed 6 in favor and 3 opposed. Several members who voted no said they would reserve judgement until they had a fuller briefing from DPS and more time to review operational impacts.
What’s next: The bill moves to the House floor with a committee do‑pass recommendation. Committee members asked staff to coordinate further briefings with DPS and other implementation stakeholders before floor debate.
