AG Torrez announced that the New Mexico Department of Justice has filed lawsuits against Torrance County and Curry County seeking declaratory and injunctive relief over the counties’ refusal to comply with the Immigrant Safety Act, which took effect May 20, 2026. 

“Local officials take an oath to uphold the law, all of it, not just the parts they agree with. The Legislature enacted the Immigrant Safety Act after careful deliberation, the Governor signed it, and it is now the law of New Mexico. No county sheriff has the authority to nullify a statute simply because he disagrees with it. That is not how our constitutional s system works, and this office will not allow it to stand.” -AG Torrez