Video & Transcript : 'immigration verification' :
Page 84 of 311
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session - Session 2 - 41st Legislative Day Jun 25th, 2026 at 02:00 pm
Delaware Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- It's a detention related to a civil matter like an immigration status.
- Most of the time, they're criminal arrests, not immigration.
- It's really emphasizing that federal immigration officials have federal immigration work to do, and that
- It's really emphasizing that federal immigration officials have federal immigration work to do, and that
- This country has always faced a challenge with dealing with immigration, illegal immigration, and how
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session - Session 2 - 41st Legislative Day Jun 25th, 2026
Delaware Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Most of the time, they're criminal arrests, not immigration.
- It's really emphasizing that federal immigration officials have federal immigration work to do, and that
- This country has always faced a challenge with dealing with immigration, illegal immigration, and how
- This country has always faced a challenge with dealing with immigration, illegal immigration, and how
- , usually Senator Townsend, a problem as big as immigration, a problem as big as immigration that they
Summary:
The Senate reconvened, received House communications and committee reports, and then took up several bills and a resolution. Committee reports covered measures on composting, volunteer background checks, campaign finance, the Delaware John Lewis Voting Rights Act, publication of Public Integrity Commission reports, Cheswold’s territorial limits, child support, alcohol and marijuana, salary supplements, certified registered nurse anesthetists, land use, school taxes, and a constitutional elections amendment. House Bill 344 and House Bill 444 were referred to the Senate Finance Committee. The Senate also confirmed the nomination of Christy N. Vitola as Commissioner of the Family Court by a 21-0 vote.
The chamber then recognized several fellows and Girls’ State delegates, with tributes to the Legislative Fellows Program and the Communications Fellowship, followed by House Concurrent Resolution 152 honoring the 2026 Delaware Girls’ State participants. The resolution passed unanimously. Senators and guests spoke about the civic value of the program and introduced the Girls’ State leadership team and delegates.
On legislation, the Senate passed House Bill 89, creating a dispute-resolution process for home improvement fraud and strengthening consumer protection enforcement; House Bill 381, requiring notice to the Attorney General of computer security breaches; House Substitute 1 for House Bill 407, making technical and penalty updates to the Hazardous Substance Cleanup Act; House Substitute 1 for House Bill 150, limiting civil arrests at courthouses and Industrial Accident Board offices; and House Substitute 2 for House Bill 94, restricting state and local participation in civil immigration enforcement at sensitive locations such as schools, houses of worship, and health care facilities, with emergency exceptions and reporting requirements. The Senate also began consideration of House Substitute 1 for House Bill 368, which would limit use of state and local resources for federal civil immigration enforcement while preserving exceptions for serious offenses and judicial warrants, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.
DE
Transcript Highlights:
- enforcement by addressing two federal immigration procedures that are not judicial warrants.
- Addressing two federal immigration procedures that are not judicial warrants: civil immigration warrants
- and immigration detainers.
- and immigration detainers are optional.
- It is not about eliminating cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
Committee:
Senate Judiciary
Summary:
The Senate Judiciary Committee met and heard presentations on several bills. House Amendment 1 to Senate Substitute 1 for House Bill 145 would restrict government use of reverse keyword searches, generally prohibiting reverse keyword court orders and voluntary requests, with a narrow exception for Class A violent felony investigations and rules on notice, deletion, and inadmissibility of unlawfully obtained evidence. House Substitute 1 for House Bill 368, with House Amendment 1, would limit Delaware law enforcement and the Department of Correction’s participation in federal civil immigration enforcement, especially regarding civil immigration warrants and detainers, while preserving exceptions for serious offenses and valid judicial processes; the Department of Correction said it had no operational or fiscal impact and supported the exclusions, and an ACLU-affiliated witness testified in support. House Substitute 1 for House Bill 427 would allow certain 16- and 17-year-olds to participate in hunting and target practice without direct adult supervision if they have parental permission, hunter education, and a valid Delaware hunting license. House Bill 355, the “Speak Your Truth Act,” would expand anti-SLAPP-style protections for survivors of sexual assault, discrimination, and harassment by raising the burden in defamation suits and allowing attorney’s fees and damages; advocates from the National Women’s Defense League and the Speak Your Truth movement supported it. House Bill 134 would increase penalties for repeat animal cruelty offenders and lengthen animal ownership bans.
The committee also heard House Bill 133, as amended, which would create a hardship waiver process allowing courts to waive fines and fees for defendants who cannot afford them, while preserving restitution and exempting certain traffic-related penalties and victim compensation assessments. The administration said the bill is intended to address uncollectable debt and noted millions in outstanding fines and fees, while local government and police representatives raised concerns about lost revenue, administrative burden, and consistency; the Fines and Fees Justice Center supported the measure. Committee members asked about how the waiver funding would affect local governments, volunteer fire companies, and related fees, and the administration said the $5 million budgeted this year would cover the waiver costs and be treated as an annual expense going forward. No committee votes were taken during the excerpted discussion, but the chair indicated that bills ready for action would be circulated for signature or moved to the floor.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- As a child of immigrants, I've chosen to pursue immigration law after witnessing firsthand the challenges
- As a child of immigrants, I've chosen to pursue immigration law after witnessing firsthand the challenges
- Amid rising hostility toward immigrant communities, immigration attorneys and service providers have
- Schoeneming Chair with the California Immigrant Policy Center and also former immigration attorney, in
- Many of the workers we represent are immigrants themselves.
Committee:
House Public Safety
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/16/2026 - Senate Military Affairs and Border Security
Transcript Highlights:
- support the enforcement of federal immigration laws.
- Law enforcement and immigration enforcement have different goals.
- the moral standard for protecting the legal immigrants.
- So we are a country of immigration, but it's the legal way.
- I believe in legal immigration. I believe in legal immigration.
Summary:
The committee first approved the February 9, 2026 minutes and then took up SB 1618, which restructures the Military Affairs Commission to add governor-appointed defense and industry experts, expand advisory participation, require more frequent meetings and reporting, and create a commission fund. The sponsor and a witness from the Southwest Mission Acceleration Center said the bill would modernize Arizona’s approach to retaining and attracting military missions and defense-related business. After adopting a Gowan amendment, the committee voted 6-1 to give SB 1618 a do pass recommendation as amended.
The committee then heard SB 1047, the “Defend the Guard” bill, which would bar deployment of the Arizona National Guard into active combat without a congressional declaration of war. Supporters, including veterans and activists, argued it would restore constitutional limits and protect Guard members from unauthorized foreign wars. Opponents, including a retired National Guard officer, warned it could harm readiness, create tension with the Pentagon, and risk federal funding or missions. The committee voted 4-3 to give SB 1047 a do pass recommendation.
Next was SB 1474, which preempts state and local restrictions on cooperation with federal immigration authorities, requires immigration-enforcement training, and, under amendment, requires county sheriffs to enter 287(g) agreements with ICE by January 1, 2027. The sponsor said the bill would improve cooperation and enforcement consistency, while opponents—religious leaders, public servants, and others—argued it would expand federal immigration enforcement, increase fear in communities, and burden local agencies with an unfunded mandate. After a lengthy and contentious debate, the committee voted 4-3 to give SB 1474 a do pass recommendation as amended.
Finally, the committee considered SB 1620, which changes Arizona Space Commission membership by reducing governor appointments, adding the lieutenant governor as chair, and making legislative and executive leaders nonvoting advisory members. The commission chair said the changes would align Arizona with other states and improve structure and continuity. The bill passed 5-1 with a do pass recommendation. The committee then heard SB 1365, a strike-everything amendment removing the income cap for disabled veterans’ property tax exemption on a primary residence; members discussed whether very high-income veterans should still qualify, but agreed the bill would help disabled veterans. The committee adopted both amendments and gave SB 1365 a do pass recommendation.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 1 on Health May 19th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Was $9.5 billion for undocumented immigrants.
- charge undocumented immigrants more for goods or services?
- Immigrants contribute $51.4 billion.
- Immigrant communities. Thank you.
- for undocumented immigrants.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Human Services Committee Apr 29th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- for immigrants about the resources for which they qualify.
- for immigrants about the resources for which they qualify.
- As an immigrant myself, born and raised in Ecuador, with 18 years of experience supporting immigrant
- As an immigrant myself, born and raised in Ecuador, with 18 years of experience supporting immigrant
- I know that some of us here have been raised by an immigrant.
Summary:
The committee heard a series of child care, social services, immigrant support, disability services, and language access bills, with many measures drawing strong support and no opposition. Early in the hearing, AB 450 proposed a Department of Aging task force to study and recommend policies for undocumented adults age 55 and older; AB 593 would let CDSS identify data-sharing opportunities to improve CalFresh administration and participation; and AB 904 would clarify child care subsidy eligibility so families do not lose care during pregnancy leave, family leave, caregiving, or job search periods. All three were presented as ways to reduce barriers and improve access to essential services, and AB 904 was moved out on a 1-0 call after support testimony from child care advocates and a member of the public. AB 617, which would expand and standardize respite care access for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities by requiring licensing and registry participation, drew both support and significant opposition from respite providers and disability service organizations concerned about added regulation, cost, and possible delays; the author said she would continue working with opponents, and the bill was moved out on a 2-0 call.
The committee also heard AB 1220, which would require regional centers to document denials, notices of action, and appeals in individual program plans and include that data in annual reports to improve transparency and equity in developmental services. The bill drew extensive public support from parents, advocates, and disability organizations, with no opposition, and passed 5-0. AB 752 would make child care centers by right in certain residential zones when co-located with multifamily housing or institutional uses, and supporters argued it would reduce zoning barriers and help expand child care capacity; it also passed 5-0. AB 1242 would create a CalHHS language access director, require human review of machine translation, and improve language coverage determinations for state and local agencies; supporters emphasized health equity and the need for better access for limited-English communities, and the bill was moved out on a 4-0 call.
Later, AB 548 would continue and expand the Asylee and Vulnerable Non-Citizen Program, which provides case management and integration services for asylees and certain visa holders; supporters said the program had been effective but had run out of funding, and the bill passed 4-0. AB 495, the Family Preparedness Plan Act, would strengthen family safety planning for immigrant families, standardize acceptance of caregiver authorization affidavits, and create a joint guardianship process for temporary separations; testimony focused on fear of family separation and the need for clear school and medical procedures, and the bill passed 4-0. AB 1357 would exclude guaranteed income payments from being counted as income for state public assistance eligibility, with supporters arguing it would prevent recipients from falling off the “benefits cliff”; it passed 4-1. Finally, AB 1201, the Reunity Act, was introduced to require individualized court assessments before denying reunification services to parents with certain violent felony convictions after a five-year period, with the author and a witness describing the bill as a trauma-informed approach to family reunification.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Appropriations Feb 5th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Our concern is specifically related to the immigration issues.
- And as an immigrant, this is particularly disturbing to me.
- Is it truly an immigration emergency? Is it truly an immigration emergency after three years?
- As well as immigration.
- Instead of $573 million dollars on illegal immigrants.
Summary:
The committee took up four bills before moving to a broader discussion of the Emergency Preparedness and Response Trust Fund. SB 434, which would prohibit counties from increasing a home’s assessed value because the owner installed wind mitigation measures, was presented as a homeowner protection measure and reported favorably. CS/SB 110, clarifying that certain 98-year-or-longer residential leaseholders remain eligible for the homestead exemption even if the lease ends at death, was also reported favorably without opposition. SB 856, requiring online real estate listing platforms to display estimated ad valorem taxes using prescribed calculation methods and not the current owner’s tax bill, drew supportive testimony from property appraisers, Zillow, and local government groups; members emphasized transparency for buyers, especially first-time homebuyers, and the bill was reported favorably.
The committee then spent most of the meeting on SPB 7040, which would recreate and extend the Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund through December 31, 2027. Supporters, including the Division of Emergency Management, argued the fund is needed for hurricanes, flooding, other disasters, and rapid response operations, and said the extension preserves legislative oversight that would otherwise lapse. Opponents from advocacy and policy groups argued the fund has been used too broadly, especially for immigration-related detention and enforcement activities, and criticized the lack of tighter guardrails and transparency. They cited deaths in detention facilities, the use of emergency dollars for non-disaster purposes, and concerns about political favoritism and public accountability.
Director Kevin Guthrie testified at length in support of the extension, explaining that the fund is used for natural, man-made, and technological emergencies, that reimbursements from federal and other sources are returned to the fund, and that the state has used it for hurricanes, flooding, civil unrest, international evacuations, and immigration-related operations under Operation Vigilant Sentry. He said the division has sought federal reimbursement for some expenses and that the fund helps the state respond quickly when emergencies arise. Members questioned the size of the fund, the amount spent on immigration-related activities, the status of federal reimbursements, and whether lawmakers should have more oversight or unannounced access to detention facilities. The bill discussion remained ongoing in the portion provided, with no final vote on SPB 7040 shown in the transcript excerpt.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, with immigration, um, what we classify as immigration, um, we have five cases.
- </c><00:19:53.280><c> that</c> several that relate to immigration that several that relate to immigration
- :01.600><c> classify</c><00:20:01.919><c> as</c> immigration, um, what we classify as immigration, um
- </c><00:22:39.760><c> and</c> effect uh discouraging immigrants and effect uh discouraging immigrants
- If Department of immigration law.
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee held an informational briefing on the State of Hawaii’s affirmative litigation against the federal administration, with no public testimony. Attorney General Lopez and deputies said the office’s goal is to enforce the rule of law, not make partisan points, and noted that Hawaii is involved in 27 ongoing cases. They grouped the cases into four broad areas: immigration, funding freezes and grant terminations, federal agency dismantling/reductions in force, and protecting elections, health, and safety.
Several immigration-related cases were discussed in detail. These included a challenge to the federal sharing of Medicaid data with DHS for immigration enforcement, a similar challenge to USDA’s demand for SNAP applicant and recipient data, and litigation over immigration-enforcement conditions attached to federal grants. The office also described the birthright citizenship executive order, saying it conflicts with the 14th Amendment and Supreme Court precedent; lower courts granted preliminary relief, and the U.S. Supreme Court later addressed only the scope of nationwide injunctions, not the merits. In the Department of Transportation case, the court granted a preliminary injunction against the “Duffy directive,” finding the immigration conditions lacked statutory authority, were arbitrary and capricious, and violated the Spending Clause and APA.
The briefing also covered multiple funding disputes. In the education funding freeze case, the Department of Education and OMB withheld about $6 billion in formula funds, including roughly $33 million for Hawaii; after suit was filed, the funds were released. Other cases included the termination of over $11 billion in public health grants, which affected Hawaii Department of Health grants, the NIH indirect cost cap case, and NIH grant terminations tied to DEI, transgender issues, and vaccine hesitancy. The speakers said some cases have already resulted in preliminary or permanent injunctions, while others remain on appeal or are still being litigated.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Appropriations Committee Aug 20th, 2025
Appropriations
Transcript Highlights:
- Nearly one in four California Californians are immigrants.
- Milagro Solis was detained by immigration enforcement on July 3rd.
- . for Immigrant Justice.
- I'm a state policy advocate with CHIRLA, the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights.
- California has long led the nation in protecting immigrant and working families.
Committee:
House Appropriations
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House State Government & Tribal Relations Jan 30th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- an undocumented immigrant, correct?
- an undocumented immigrant, correct?”
- Alien offender, legal resident alien, non-immigrant alien.
- These aren't just immigration related.
- Federal immigration law hasn't changed.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on several bills. HB 1364 would raise from $5,000 to $15,000 the gross revenue thresholds for charitable and nonprofit organizations to conduct bingo, raffles, and amusement games without a gambling license, and would also raise related local tax thresholds; supporters said it is an inflation adjustment that helps volunteer nonprofits, while no opposition was heard before the hearing closed. HB 2632 would replace most uses of “alien” in state law with “non-citizen,” with exceptions for federal-law requirements and non-human uses; the sponsor described it as a dignity and accuracy measure rooted in refugee experience, while supporters and opponents debated whether it is respectful and clearer or instead unnecessary and potentially confusing. HB 2447 would designate the blunt-nosed six-gill shark as Washington’s official state shark; testimony from the sponsor, children, marine advocates, and scientists emphasized education, conservation, Puget Sound ecology, and local pride, and the hearing closed without opposition testimony. HB 2637 would exempt certain personal information from Public Records Act disclosure, including age, address, birthplace, precise location data, government identifiers, and consumer utility data; supporters framed it as privacy and safety protection, while opponents argued it would reduce transparency and could interfere with federal immigration enforcement.
In executive session, the committee took action on three bills. HB 2235, concerning Public Records Act exemptions for concealed pistol licenses and permit-to-purchase firearm applications, was reported out of committee with a due pass recommendation by a 7-0 vote. HB 2401, establishing the Boys and Men’s Commission, was also reported out with a due pass recommendation by a 5-2 vote, with some members supporting the concept but expressing concern about funding. HB 2574, which addresses removal of deceased candidates for nonpartisan office from ballots and related vote-count procedures, was reported out with a due pass recommendation by a 6-1 vote after members discussed the need to clarify election procedures in rare cases. The committee deferred action on HB 2520.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Day 22 (2-6-26)
Kentucky Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And then we celebrate streamlining an immigration process to get those immigrants here that we need.
- Those the country that are immigrants.
- So there's all kinds of problems with this immigration. We... Of problems with this immigration.
- She's an immigrant.
- </c> by an an illegal immigrant by an an illegal immigrant in<01:13:18.960><c> front</c><01:13:19.200
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><01:11:05.520><c> and</c> of whatever immigration status. and of whatever immigration status. and
- We must not use immigration as a wedge. We must not use immigration as a wedge.
- Who here really is against immigrants? immigrants? immigrants?
- </c> executed agreements with immigrations executed agreements with immigrations and<01:35:54.639><c>
- If immigrants see police beginning to act together doing immigration enforcement, they are not going
Committee:
Senate Judiciary
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Government, Elections And Indian Affairs Feb 9th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- They currently actually already operate off of a grant, and they work at the intersection of immigration
- One in eight workers in New Mexico is an immigrant or a refugee, and they are an even larger share of
- Indigenous communities and immigrant communities have always stood side by side, rooted in resilience
- Indigenous communities and immigrant communities have always stood side by side, rooted in resilience
- Meanwhile, immigrant families are keeping local economies alive. Please support HB 124.
Summary:
The committee first heard House Bill 124, which would create a permanent Office of New Americans within the Department of Workforce Solutions. The sponsor and supporters said the office would help immigrant and refugee workers access training, licensing, language support, and other workforce resources, while also helping employers fill labor shortages in industries such as construction, agriculture, oil and gas, health care, and child care. Support came from advocates, business groups, faith organizations, and immigrant-rights groups; there was no opposition. Members asked about data protection, the number of other states with similar offices, and whether the office could help recruit and credential foreign-trained medical professionals. The bill passed on a do-pass motion with several yes votes and some no votes recorded, and the sponsor explained the vote as a way to support families and workforce integration.
The committee then considered House Bill 314, which would authorize zero-interest loans through the Local Government Division for political subdivisions to repair flood- and debris-damaged public infrastructure and remove debris from the October 19, 2024 storm event. There was no public testimony in support or opposition. Members briefly asked about the $150 million appropriation and whether it was already in the budget, and the sponsor said it was. The bill received a do-pass motion, a second, and was approved without opposition.
Finally, the committee took up Senate Bill 64, as amended, to codify the Office of Special Education and a deputy secretary position within the Public Education Department. The sponsor and department officials said the bill would formalize an office already created by executive order, improve statewide coordination, support compliance with IDEA and the Yazzie-Martinez case, and develop a statewide IEP template to reduce inconsistency across districts. They emphasized that gifted education would remain in Curriculum and Instruction and that the bill would not add new paperwork or mandates for districts. Supporters included education leaders, disability advocates, vocational rehabilitation, and special education professionals; there was no opposition. Members raised questions about parent understanding of IEPs, monitoring and enforcement, funding, charter school coverage, and the treatment of gifted and twice-exceptional students. The bill passed on a do-pass motion with unanimous support from those present.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Law & Justice Jan 20th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- This legislation does not prohibit federal immigration enforcement.
- OneAmerica is a statewide nonprofit advocating for immigrants' rights.
- I'm a first-generation immigrant.
- They are apprehended by immigration enforcement.
- license plate reader data to conduct civil immigration enforcement actions.
Summary:
The committee heard public testimony on four bills. SB 5925 would expand the Attorney General’s civil investigative demand authority to investigate possible violations of the U.S. and Washington constitutions, certain labor and civil rights laws, law enforcement use-of-force issues, and jail-related statutes. Supporters, including the Attorney General’s office, Teamsters 117, and Working Washington, said the bill would make investigations faster and more effective, especially in wage theft and discrimination cases. Opponents, including police, sheriffs, cities, counties, and retail and business groups, argued it would give the AG broad investigative power without enough threshold showing, could burden local governments and employers, and raised constitutional concerns about speech and search protections. No vote was taken.
SB 5906 would codify and expand protections for non-public spaces in schools, child care facilities, health care facilities, higher education institutions, and county auditor election areas by limiting immigration enforcement access without a judicial warrant or court order and restricting collection of immigration-related information about students and families. Supporters said the bill would reduce fear, protect privacy, and make existing Keep Washington Working policies clearer and more durable, with testimony from immigrant rights groups, faith organizations, students, PTA, and health advocates. Some organizations, including health care and child care stakeholders, supported the goal but asked for amendments to clarify definitions, create model policies, add training and enforcement provisions, and adjust warrant/subpoena language. The committee also heard strong opposition concerns about federal immigration enforcement, but no action was taken.
SB 6070 would expand missing-person tools by allowing certain digital investigative tools to be used in missing endangered person cases, creating new Abney and Purple Alerts for missing Black people and people with disabilities, and broadening the definition of missing endangered person. Supporters included prosecutors, law enforcement, tribal and disability advocates, families of missing persons, and students who argued that faster alerts and better digital tools save lives and address racial and disability disparities in missing-person responses. Testimony described delays in prior cases and the need for more urgent, targeted alerts. The committee then heard SB 6002, which would regulate automated license plate reader systems, set registration, use, retention, audit, and disclosure rules, and prohibit certain uses such as immigration enforcement and surveillance near protected locations. The sponsor said the bill is intended to create statewide guardrails for a technology already in use, and testimony was expected to continue after the excerpt ended; no vote or final action was recorded in the portion provided.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- ><c> agents</c> The 3,000 federal immigration agents The 3,000 federal immigration agents deployed<01
- unquote illegal immigrants. Is his unquote illegal immigrants.
- immigrants? immigrants? Senator<03:37:53.200><c> Cron.</c> Uh, thank you, Mr. President.
- </c> enforce immigration. enforce immigration.
- </c> immigrants because of course they will. immigrants because of course they will.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Limiting access to child care center facilities discussed 3/4/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- agents</c><00:21:10.880><c> from</c> keep immigration enforcement agents from keep immigration enforcement
- </c> community of Westside, a proud immigrant community of Westside, a proud immigrant community<00:52
- and civil immigration enforcement.
- and civil immigration enforcement.
- And striking immigration in some way.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Warrant needed for federal immigration officers 3/10/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- and participating in the prosecution of those crimes due to fear of immigration consequences."
- Unquote. those crimes due to fear of immigration consequences." Unquote.
- and participating in the prosecution of those crimes due to fear of immigration consequences."
- and participating in the prosecution of those crimes due to fear of immigration consequences."
- warrants or immigration detainers.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- responsibility, and hard work, investing in immigrant working families.
- Immigration has been the only driver of population growth in recent years.
- The League of Women Voters' position on immigration includes a provision stating that immigrants should
- So I've done immigration for our guys for years, and it takes a long time.
- My wife's an immigrant. She came here in 2012, became a citizen. quick. My wife's an immigrant.
Committee:
Senate House Rules & Order Of Business
Summary:
The committee first heard HB 124, which would codify the Office of New Americans within the Workforce Solutions Department. The sponsor and Workforce Solutions officials said the office has already been operating on a grant and has become a key resource for businesses and immigrant workers, especially for workforce development, credential recognition, language access, and referrals. Supporters from immigrant advocacy, child care, conservation, and civic groups argued the office would help address labor shortages, improve integration, and strengthen economic growth. Several members questioned whether the office would serve people without legal status, what services would be provided, and whether it would create taxpayer costs; sponsors said eligibility would depend on specific programs, the office would mainly provide referrals and workforce support, and it is currently philanthropic grant-funded. The bill was ultimately passed on a 6-4 due pass vote.
The committee then considered SJR 6, a proposed constitutional amendment to change New Mexico’s pretrial detention standards. The sponsor argued the 2016 bail reform language has contributed to a “revolving door” for repeat offenders and that the current standard is too restrictive and inconsistently applied across judicial districts. Supporters from State Police said the resolution would give clearer direction and let voters revisit the issue. Opponents from the ACLU and the Criminal Defense Lawyers Association warned it would expand pretrial detention, weaken the requirement that the state prove no release conditions are adequate, and disproportionately affect poor people and people of color. After extended debate over public safety, judicial discretion, and whether the proposal should include a clearer standard, the committee approved the resolution on a 6-4 due pass vote.
The committee also passed SJR 7, a land swap between the state and the City of Santa Fe involving the DPS site and part of the Midtown campus. The sponsor, the Department of Public Safety, and the Santa Fe mayor said the exchange had been discussed for years, would allow the state to own the land under its DPS facilities, and would help the city advance its Midtown redevelopment plan, including housing and public amenities. Members asked about the parcels involved, whether both sides agreed, and whether any member had a financial interest; the sponsor said the swap was non-monetary and fully agreed to by both parties. The resolution passed without opposition.
Finally, the committee heard SM 31, which creates a workgroup with LFC, DFA, and PERA to study the loss of COLAs for PERA retirees and recommend solutions. Retiree advocates said the reduced COLA has significantly eroded pension value and that retirees relied on the statutory promise of a 2% COLA. Other speakers emphasized the need to protect long-term fund solvency while addressing retiree losses. The memorial passed unanimously by roll call. The meeting then recessed, with the chair noting the next day’s agenda would be posted later.
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- It creates no new immigration laws.
- So I think about particularly Hispanic and Latino immigrants in my district and try to put immigrants
- When local police are perceived as immigration agents, victims and witnesses of crimes within immigrant
- State-level attempts to enforce immigration law create complications. enforce immigration law create
- A lot of it is around this immigration concept, this idea of immigration.