A new law in New Mexico aims to address crime and police shortages by allowing foreigners with federal work permits to serve as police officers. Signed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham on April 7, the legislation, known as Senate Bill 364, follows the Biden administration’s issuance of over 2 million work permits to non-citizens under a controversial parole program that has faced scrutiny.
The state has seen a significant rise in crime and a decrease in police personnel in recent years, attributed in part to disillusionment stemming from events like the George Floyd protests. It has been indicated that the application rates for police positions have plummeted since 2020 in places like Albuquerque and State Police, reflecting the current climate for law enforcement.
New Mexico struggles with both high rates of violent crime and inadequate police numbers, raising concerns about community safety. Responding to this, supporters of the bill argue that it will allow individuals who might not have previously considered law enforcement as a career to step up.
Yet, the American Federation of Immigration Reform opposes the law, arguing that it’s illogical to let those who have violated immigration laws enforce laws themselves. They also raise concerns about the implications of allowing non-citizens to carry firearms, given that federal regulations prevent illegal immigrants from owning guns.
Interestingly, while this measure could enable non-citizens to carry firearms, Governor Lujan Grisham had earlier suspended the state’s second amendment rights, especially in Albuquerque, through an executive order that expired in 2024.
Supporters, however, emphasize the pressing need to boost the ranks of law enforcement, highlighting the challenges that come with a declining number of recruits and rising attrition within the department. Critics, meanwhile, express worries about potential complications, especially regarding individuals from countries that may harbor anti-American sentiments. The situation is a complex web of social issues, and merely allowing non-citizens into police roles won’t solve the underlying problems of crime in New Mexico, according to opponents of the law.
Similar to other progressive states like California, Illinois, and Colorado, New Mexico’s decision reflects a broader trend among Democrats to involve non-citizens in law enforcement roles across various regions.
