Residents, service providers urge Bernalillo County to back ordinance limiting immigration enforcement in sensitive places

Public commenters at the Bernalillo County Board of Commissionersmeeting on Oct. 28 urged commissioners to approve an ordinance that would restrict immigration-enforcement presence in "sensitive locations," including schools, hospitals, places of worship and shelters.

Speakers described businesses and families altering daily life because of reported immigration-enforcement activity. Olga Santana, identified in her remarks as a worker-rights organizer with El Centro de Guadalupe de Rechos, said the fear drove her to close a food business and hurt household income: "Approving this ordinance will bring peace of mind to our community, allowing people to live their daily lives, go to the grocery store, school, church, or clinic without fear." Rosalio Hernandez and other small-business owners described customers leaving restaurants when enforcement vehicles were seen nearby and said that reduced foot traffic has cut their revenues.

The comments were framed as a public plea for county action. Andres Esquivel, a campaigns manager who spoke for the New Mexico Dream Team, said immigrant-friendly local policies create opportunity for families like his and asked commissioners to back a proposed policy from Vice Chair Barbolo and Commissioner Baca. Sara Bonnie Escobar, executive director of Enlace Comunitario, emphasized survivors-of-domestic-violence services and warned that enforcement presence in service sites deters people from seeking help.

Commissioners did not vote on the ordinance at the Oct. 28 meeting. Vice Chair Barbolo told members of the public that the proposal "will not be voted on tonight. It will be voted on on November 18." The board did not take formal action but kept the item on the committee calendar for further consideration and formal adoption at the Nov. 18 meeting.

Why it matters: Supporters said the measure would protect immigrantsand community members seeking critical services from being detained or separated from family while at schools, clinics and churches. Speakers also linked public safety and local economic impacts to the issue, saying fear of enforcement has reduced attendance at restaurants and community events.

What commissioners said: Commissioners thanked speakers for coming and affirmed they would consider the ordinance at the next scheduled meeting. No commissioner made a binding declaration to support or oppose the ordinance at Oct. 28.

What's next: The Bernalillo County Board of Commissioners plans to consider the ordinance during the Nov. 18 meeting; that is when the board may hold a formal vote.