The ACLU of New Mexico has raised concerns about a recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation that resulted in the arrest of 48 individuals across the state. The organization has filed a formal complaint with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), demanding more transparency regarding the detentions.
ICE Operation Leads to Dozens of Arrests
ICE officials conducted a week-long enforcement sweep in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Roswell, targeting undocumented individuals. According to ICE, 20 of those arrested had prior convictions for serious crimes. However, the agency has not publicly disclosed the names of those taken into custody, their current location, or the conditions of the detention centers where they are being held.
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Concerns Over Legal Access and Due Process
The ACLU of New Mexico has voiced alarm over the lack of available information, emphasizing that the detainees’ legal rights could be at risk. Rebecca Sheff, an ACLU attorney, expressed concern about the whereabouts and well-being of those in custody:
“We have no idea what has happened to these individuals—they have effectively vanished.”
Call for Federal Investigation
The ACLU is urging DHS to investigate the situation, ensure the detainees have access to legal representation, and clarify the conditions in which they are being held. The organization argues that ICE’s lack of transparency raises serious civil rights concerns and underscores the need for oversight.
As of now, ICE has not issued any further statements regarding the arrests or the individuals in custody .
