The Las Cruces City Council, in a significant move, upheld its designation as an immigrant-friendly community on Monday, according to a city council recap. In a notable affirmation of inclusivity, the council voted 5-2 in favor of a resolution that reinforces the city’s commitment to nondiscrimination across all areas of government. Council members Cassie McClure, Becki Graham, Johana Bencomo, Becky Corran, and Yvonne Flores supported the resolution, while Councilor Bill Mattiace and Mayor Eric Enriquez voted against it.
The approved resolution places Las Cruces firmly among communities that not only welcome immigrants but also ensure they're treated equitably within the scope of municipal powers. Extending the city's long-standing Human Rights Ordinance, the council embraced amendments suggested by City Attorney Brad Douglas that would fine-tune the language of the resolution. This move seals the city’s stance on fundamental equitable treatment, particularly by law enforcement, in the spirit of the constitutional rights that cloak us all.
At the heart of the council's pledge lies the revised Las Cruces Police Department’s General Orders 165 on Bias-Based Policing, and 166 regarding Undocumented Foreign Nationals, both of which see revisions to coincide with contemporary values and legal tenets. According to the resolution, General Order 165 stands as a bulwark against biased policing, requiring officers to honor and protect the constitutional rights of individuals and deliver impartial police service, while General Order 166 explicitly states that LCPD officers "are not authorized to detain or arrest any person solely based on their nationality or ethnicity," as per the City of Las Cruces.
In line with the resolution's emphasis on privacy and legality, the council underscored the city’s resolve not to release sensitive personal information unless presented with a judicial warrant or as required by federal and state statute. City staff now have the challenging task of translating this resolution into tangible policies, an endeavor slated to take from six months to a year, which mandates clarity in compliance with lawful orders while also safeguarding sensitive information from unwarranted exposure.
