Rally at the Roundhouse: Protestors ask state to stand up to federal immigration policy

SANTA FE — Guitars played and car horns blared in unison Monday just after noon outside the Roundhouse as thousands protested the immigration policies of President Donald Trump’s administration.

The rally in Santa Fe came as other rallies took place across the nation. The goal in New Mexico was also to ask state leaders to do more during the 60-day legislative session to protect undocumented immigrants from federal policy.

“We will fight each and every day against an overzealous federal government,” Sen. Antonio Maestas, D-Albuquerque, said to the crowd. “Don’t mess with our immigrant community. It is going to be against the law.”

Twelve organizations took part in the protest and many in the crowd sported yellow shirts from advocacy group Somos Acción, while others draped the Mexican flag over their shoulders.

While protesting federal policy, the groups involved also called for bills that would strengthen privacy at the state’s Motor Vehicle Division, prohibit local law enforcement agencies from helping U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement carry out deportations and streamline some visa certification requests, according to a news release.

Over 1,300 people attended, according to Somos Acción.

After elected officials and organizers spoke, a small band took the outdoor stage, playing traditional Mexican tunes on acoustic guitars as protestors filed into the Roundhouse.

Republican Senate Caucus Chair David Gallegos of Eunice said New Mexicans should support the federal immigration policies because they “get rid of the criminal elements” in the state.

“Everyone outside there protesting should be on our side because we’re advocating for safety and security for them, and in doing that, we protect all of New Mexico,” Gallegos told the Journal in an interview.

Gallegos, who owns the construction company Ramirez & Sons — which operates in New Mexico and West Texas — added he is dependent on immigrant labor.

“I need them. I mean, when you’re working construction, the majority of our employees — we’ve got 117 employees — I bet you we have two white guys, maybe three,” Gallegos said. “But the reality is that they work hard. We just need to find a way to get them here legally.”

His colleague, Rep. Angelita Mejia, R-Dexter, added she also isn’t against all immigration.

“We just wanted everybody to come in the legal way. I mean, even with a work permit and then a path for their green card,” Mejia said. “Yeah, it takes a long time, but what we need to work on is a more affordable system that is less complicated.”

Senate Republicans established an email tip line for residents who want to report either “unfounded action” by federal agencies against documented U.S. citizens or a “community of violent illegal offenders attempting to evade capture,” which drew some discussion on the Senate floor Friday.

While local and state Democrat leaders have vowed to protect undocumented New Mexican immigrants, Trump has signed multiple executive orders — including one that attempts to end birthright citizenship — just days after taking office for his second term.

“These last two weeks, we have seen that the Trump administration is doing what it said it was going to do,” Executive Director of Somos Acción Marcela Díaz said.

She hopes that her group’s goals are also a priority for state lawmakers.

“Public safety is on the minds of a lot of New Mexicans, and a lot of legislators and the governor are working to pass a package of public safety bills,” Díaz said. “What we’re saying is, you can’t have public safety statewide and in our communities if you’re excluding the 200,000 mixed status immigrant families from those public safety efforts.”

Others in attendance, who occupied the middle of the Capitol building the rest of the afternoon, repeated that call.

“As the president and the new administration dehumanize the immigrant community, it is time for New Mexico to take a stand and say, ‘not here,’” said Rev. Mike Angell of St. Michael and All Angels Church in Northeast Albuquerque, speaking in the Capitol Rotunda.