Two New Mexico Sheriffs Refuse to End ICE Contracts Despite New State Law

New Mexico’s Immigrant Safety Act took effect banning 287(g) agreements that deputize local law enforcement to carry out federal immigration functions — but the sheriffs of Torrance and Curry counties, the only two New Mexico departments that signed such agreements, say they don’t plan to end them. Curry County Sheriff Michael Brockett said he does not plan to modify his agreement with the federal government. The U.S. Department of Justice sued New Mexico over the law earlier in May, arguing it interferes with federal immigration enforcement; neither county’s program is operational yet, as ICE has not completed required training.