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Residents urge Truth or Consequences commission to delay resolution pledging cooperation with federal law enforcement
Summary
Dozens of residents urged the Truth or Consequences City Commission to delay or amend Resolution 312526, saying its language pledging 'robust cooperation' with federal, state and local law enforcement could be read to invite immigration-enforcement actions; speakers asked the commission to explicitly exclude immigration agencies such as ICE.
Dozens of residents urged the Truth or Consequences City Commission on Dec. 17 to delay or amend Resolution 312526, a pledge of "continued and robust cooperation with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners," citing fears the language could allow immigration-enforcement activity in the city.
The concern was raised repeatedly during an extended public-comment period. "This resolution is vague. It does not define federal law enforcement," said Alice Hutchkins, a Truth or Consequences resident, asking the commission to either delay a vote or expressly exclude immigration-enforcement agencies from the pledge.
Why it matters: commenters said the resolution’s ambiguity could erode trust between immigrant residents and police, reduce crime reporting and harm school attendance. Several speakers emphasized their support for local officers while distinguishing that trust from support for unspecified federal agencies.
Residents described specific harms they said have followed immigration enforcement elsewhere. "In practice, this language can be interpreted as support for ICE operations in our city," said Jen Clemente, who urged the commission to provide a clear definition of which federal agencies, if any, the city intends to include.
Other public speakers urged the commission to postpone the resolution and hold additional public hearings or a town hall. "If somehow you cannot vote no, then postpone it, have a public hearing, a town hall meeting where more of your citizens will have an opportunity to speak," said longtime resident Steve Green during public comment.
Commission context: A commissioner read a statement explaining there was no hidden agenda and that the item was intended to show support for law enforcement broadly; the commissioner said she had discussed the draft with the author (absent Commissioner Mary Joe Paul) and emphasized support for local officers. The author of the resolution was not present at the meeting; commissioners said they would consider public comments as they take up the agenda item later.
What was not decided: The commission did not vote on Resolution 312526 at the Dec. 17 meeting. Speakers repeatedly requested that, if the commission pursues the measure, it be amended to clarify what "cooperation" means and to explicitly exclude immigration-enforcement agencies if that is the body's intent.
Next steps: The commission closed public comment and moved to other reports; members said the item remains on a later portion of the agenda and that they would review the public record before acting.
