Lawmakers in New Mexico are advancing the Immigrant Safety Act, a proposal to ban Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention operations in the state.

SANTA FE, N.M. – Lawmakers in New Mexico are advancing the Immigrant Safety Act, a proposal to ban Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention operations in the state.

The bill, backed by Democrats, passed the House floor with all Republican lawmakers voting against it. The act aims to prohibit local governments from entering or maintaining contracts with ICE. Currently, there are three ICE detention centers in rural New Mexico, and their future was a key debate point.

“There is no other jobs available out there, and the impact is going to be huge,” said Rep. Stefani Lord of District 22.

Rep. Mark Duncan of District 2 expressed concerns about job security, saying, “this body does not do enough to safeguard those jobs and safeguard the counties.”

Rep. Andrea Romero of District 46 countered, “the commitment that the Economic Development Department has made the funding that we have in the budget to help folks recover, to look at the loss of jobs both direct and indirect, already would essentially overcompensate for that.”‘

Meidcal malpractice

In addition to the Immigrant Safety Act, a bipartisan proposal addressing New Mexico’s medical malpractice issue is also progressing. State health care leaders are concerned about rising insurance premiums and doctors leaving the state due to increasing lawsuits and settlements.

The House Health and Human Services Committee discussed a bill Friday morning to implement new limitations on punitive damages. However, amendments introduced could potentially hinder efforts to protect doctors.

“The way that it’s written, it removes hospitals from the protections that are outlined in House Bill 99,” said Dr. Angelina Villas-Adams, past president of the New Mexico Medical Society.

The committee approved the bill, sending it to the House Judiciary Committee for further consideration. Additionally, they approved a proposal for New Mexico to join the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, which could improve health care access in the state.

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