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Santa Fe County introduces Community Trust Ordinance and "County for Citizenship" proclamation, building on years of protections and services

SANTA FE, N.M., Sept 10, 2026 — As federal immigration enforcement escalates, Santa Fe County is stepping up to protect public safety, civil liberties and the trust that holds community together. At its Sept. 8 meeting, the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) introduced the County Facilities and Community Trust Ordinance and adopted a proclamation declaring Santa Fe County "A County for Citizenship."

The ordinance, sponsored by Commissioner, District 2, Lisa Cacari Stone, limits the use of County property, personnel and confidential records for civil immigration enforcement, while fully preserving compliance with warrants and judicial orders. A final vote is expected at the next regular BCC meeting, scheduled for Sept. 29.

Through the citizenship proclamation, the County joins Cities and Counties for Citizenship, a national network of 117+ jurisdictions, helping an estimated 3,000–3,500 eligible residents pursue naturalization. These recent actions build on the County's Resolution 2025-015,which ensures the County Adult Detention Facility does not honor ICE holds, the Sheriff's Office does not participate in the 287(g) program, and that County services stay open to every resident regardless of status. The County's Community Action Team is a multi-disciplinary group funneled through the Community Services Department that helps to coordinate and ensure that essential health and social services remain available to immigrant youth, families, and adults in ways reflective of our changing times. Through this group, the County provides significant financial support for immigrant-specific services, and it provides extensive financial support to local providers who serve residents irrespective of immigrations status.

The County also contributes substantial in-kind staff time to immigration-related meetings and events. A ‘Know Your Rights Forum’ was co-hosted with the City of Santa Fe in 2025. More than 150 people attended the Spanish-language community event, which provided free legal counsel and notary services. The initiative was supported by the New Mexico Attorney General's Office, the Mexican Consulate, and local law enforcement and fire department personnel.

To empower and protect our immigrant community the County provides reliable resources, and connections to local organizations dedicated to immigrant well-being via an online Know Your Rights portal: https://www.SantaFeCountyNM.gov/civil-liberties. "When one of us is not safe, none of us is safe," said Commissioner Cacari Stone. "Santa Fe County will continue to stand for dignity, due process and a community where everyone can seek help without fear."