Alamogordo NM
5-30-2025 12:53pm

Conservative Otero and 22 New Mexico Counties, Targeted on DHS Sanctuary County List

Otero County slated to potentially lose Federal Funds as a target on DHS list - AlamogordoTownNews.org

NewMexicoConservativeNews.com reports that, Otero County, New Mexico has been named by the department of Homeland Security as one of 23 counties out of the states 33, on a target list of the Trump Administration. Only 2 cities in New Mexico made the list for targeting and those two cities are Albuqurque and Santa Fe, per the report.

"Executive Order 14287: Protecting American Communities from Criminal Aliens requires that a list of states and local jurisdictions that obstruct the enforcement of Federal immigration laws (sanctuary jurisdictions) be published. Sanctuary jurisdictions including cities, counties, and states that are deliberately obstructing the enforcement of federal immigration laws endangering American communities. Sanctuary cities protect dangerous criminal aliens from facing consequences and put law enforcement in peril", per the order verbiage.

The list linked was created to identify sanctuary jurisdictions, which are determined by factors like compliance with federal law enforcement, information restrictions, and legal protections for illegal aliens.

Each jurisdiction listed will receive formal notification of its non-compliance with Federal statutes. DHS demands that these jurisdictions immediately review and revise their policies to align with Federal immigration laws and renew their obligation to protect American citizens, not dangerous illegal aliens.

The irony to this listing by Homeland Security and the Trump Administration is that by unanimous vote Feb. 14, 2019 the Otero County Commission allegedly "made it clear it would respect federal immigration laws." Otero County New Mexico is the home to the state Republican Chairwoman, Amy Barela a vocal Trump supporter and Cowboys for Trump Founder, Couy Griffin. Then County Commissioner, Couy Griffin Griffin said at the time "the conservative fabric of the county dictates this move to clarify the issue on federal detainees and illegal entry into the US  by a vote of the commission."

Otero County NM is home to NM State Republican Chair Amy Barela and Cowboys for Trump founder Couy Griffin. Otero County on DHS warning list. - NewMexicoConservativeNews.com

Otero County officials suggest that the listing as a targeted county by the Department of Homeland Security is "a mistake" and the county will quickly resolve and correct the issue. 

Immigration and Customs Enforcement or ICE, handles a majority of the immigration issues in Otero County, New Mexico out of the Otero County Processing Center in Chaparral. Otero County, New Mexico also hosts a border checkpoint between Alamogordo and El Paso, Texas

The Otero County Processing Center in Chaparral has been a hotbed of controversy with Two Cuban asylum seekers detained at the Otero County Processing Center attempted to commit suicide by slitting their wrists, and about 19 others have threatened to follow suit, immigrant advocates reported in 2019.

Otero County, New Mexico has been listed on several websites as a sanctuary county for those who entered the U.S. illegally to include the Center for Immigration Studies.

Speculation is that is where the confusion with DHS has come in.

The 10 NM counties NOT listed as sanctuary jurisdictions by DHS:

  • Catron
  • Cibola
  • Curry
  • Guadalupe
  • Harding
  • Lea
  • Mora
  • Torrance
  • Union
  • Valencia

New Mexico Republican Chairwoman and Otero County Commissioner responds to DHS listing https://youtu.be/7xZTgdYBxhE?s...

Stay tuned for the next Otero County commission meeting, as a response to this Trump Administration listing is sure to be a topic of discussion. Otero County, New Mexico could potentially lose millions of tax dollars in matching grants to the sheriffs department and infrustructure improvement based upon this classification by Homeland Security and the Trump Administration. Stay tuned as this is a developing story...

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5-30-2025 7:44pm

a perfect example of the incompetence of the trump regime - bathwater out - baby out...details - we don't need no stinkin details.  the only paint brush they possess must be half a mile wide...government by fools and charlatans.

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5-30-2025 8:16pm

This was not a notice of action, but a request for compliance.

This should be a fairly simple matter to clear up by simply responding to the letter with a statement that the county feels it is in compliance, and a request for DHS to clarify any laws or policies they feel are not in line with federal immigration law.
It does concern me that Las Cruces is not on their list.  A surge in federal officers over there might do some good.

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