2025 YEAR-IN-REVIEW
2025 was a year defined by new threats to immigrant families, tremendous organizing across New Mexico, and a bold economic justice agenda. In the face of extreme anti-immigrant attacks at the national level, Somos remained committed to the values that have guided us for more than 30 years: collective action, worker leadership, and bold policy change. Thank you for standing with Somos in 2025. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation today to support our work in 2026. Read the full Year-In-Review here. ¡Gracias y feliz año nuevo!
Protecting immigrant families
Despite escalating federal immigration enforcement, families across New Mexico showed strength and resilience. This year, 2,950 families participated in Somos civil rights and emergency family planning workshops. Somos teamed up with service-based providers, adult education programs, and Adelante and Contigo Immigrant Justice to offer bilingual know-your-rights workshops, emergency planning, resource navigation, and brief legal consultations across the state.
- Somos worked closely with the City of Santa Fe to relaunch the Immigration Committee, giving community members and organizations a formal role in shaping city policy on immigration protections. With community partners, Somos presented proposals to require clearer building signage to keep ICE out of private places, protect residents on city property, notify workers about I-9 audits, and create an economic relief fund for families dealing with detention. New citywide campaigns are planned for 2026.
- Somos organized citizenship forums in Santa Fe, Taos, Española, and southeastern New Mexico with over 650 attendees. Over 105 Somosistas are now on the path to becoming naturalized U.S. citizens.
Protecting immigrant data
Several major legislative wins went into effect. Somos worked closely with agencies to ensure these new laws protect families in practice—not just on paper.
SB 36 Non-disclosure of Sensitive Information Act
- Somos worked closely with the State Personnel Office, NM MVD, the Office of the Public Defender, and allied organizations on implementation and training strategies.
- Before the July 1st implementation date, MVD informed its clients that access to driver’s license information required attestation that data would not be used for immigration law enforcement. Clients who did not attest lost access—showing the law is working.
- Somos continues to monitor enforcement and support families statewide through implementation and enforcement.
Organizing for economic justice and workforce equity
Somos continued statewide organizing to ensure workers—regardless of immigration status—can access trainings, skills building, certificate and credentialing programs leading to better jobs. Together, these efforts build an inclusive workforce system that recognizes immigrants as essential to New Mexico’s future economic strength.
Raising Santa Fe’s minimum wage
Santa Fe approved a historic increase to $17.50 per hour in 2027, including a first-of-its-kind wage accelerator tied to inflation and housing costs. Through sustained community organizing and coalition advocacy for over two decades, Somos centered low-wage immigrant workers in this public campaign, alongside Mayor Alan Webber, City Councilors, City staff, and coalition partners including Chainbreaker Collective and The Food Depot.
Adult education & NM Ascend
Somos advocated for state funding for the Department of Workforce Solutions and the Higher Education Department’s Adult Education Division to expand Integrated Education & Training programs, ESL, High School Equivalency, citizenship programs, and a supplemental income program for workers.
- NM residents enrolled in IET programs received monthly income through NM Ascend.
- Dozens of new IET programs increased enrollment and job training certificates earned.
- NM Ascend will cover tuition expenses for immigrants and non-immigrants without access to traditional instate tuition rates.
Building equity into regional workforce development
- New ESL, GED, citizenship, and IET programs were created in Roswell, Artesia, Carlsbad, and Hobbs.
- Somos worked with the City of Santa Fe on workforce development planning and launched a public information campaign, including the Santa Fe Workforce Development Fair in December.
Statewide immigration legal services
Somos, with partners, advocated for $7.6 million for expanded legal services and community education programs for New Mexicans regardless of immigration status. This funding supports a statewide legal service hotline, know-your-rights training, and family emergency planning.
What's Next?
In the year ahead, we will continue organizing to protect our families, expand know-your-rights outreach, and strengthen statewide policies that support our communities and keep them safe all across New Mexico. As threats continue, we remain committed to our collective wellbeing and action in union to move our families and communities forward together.
Highlights of legislative priorities in 2026:
- Pass the Immigrant Safety Act to stop the expansion of immigrant detention centers and prohibit local law enforcement from entering into 287(g) agreements.
- Establish a permanent Office of New Americans at the Department of Workforce Solutions to ensure essential immigrant workers have the tools and services they need to participate fully in New Mexico’s workforce and emerging industries.
- Pass the Driver Safety & Privacy Act to restrict the use of license plate readers for immigration enforcement.
- Secure more funding for NM Ascend and legal services.
Save the Date: Immigrant & Worker’s Day of Action 2026
Join us on Monday, January 26th for the lmmigrant & Worker's Day of Action 2026 at the Roundhouse. Hundreds of immigrants and allies will march and rally to demand protections and fairness for New Mexico's immigrant workers and communities.
Save the Date: lmmigrant & Worker's Day of Action
Join us on Monday, January 26th for the lmmigrant & Worker’s Day of Action 2026 at the Roundhouse. Hundreds of immigrants and allies will march and rally to demand protections and fairness for New Mexico’s immigrant workers and communities.
