Attorney General Raúl Torrez announced that New Mexico is leading a multistate coalition in filing an amicus brief in support of Silver Consolidated Schools—a rural New Mexico district fighting to preserve critical mental health funding for its students. This localized legal support builds on the lawsuit a coalition of Attorneys General filed just days ago challenging the U.S. Department of Education’s decision to abruptly terminate school-based mental health grants across the country. The amicus brief, filed in federal court, backs Silver City’s motion for a preliminary injunction and reinforces New Mexico’s broader legal strategy to stop the unlawful dismantling of mental health programs established under the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.

“The Department of Education’s decision to pull the plug on these programs—without warning and without justification—puts thousands of vulnerable students at risk. This brief not only amplifies our broader lawsuit against the Department of Education but also shows that when a single school district takes a courageous stand, states across the country will stand with them. The stakes couldn’t be higher—this funding is critical to the mental health and safety of our kids in New Mexico and around the country.” – AG Torrez