CAFé Acción

Congress eliminated public media funding, and the president signed it into law. At a time of deep division, public media brings us together.

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New Mexicans must stand with immigrants Today I write not just as an elected official but as an immigrant, a woman of color and someone whose very presence in public office is under attack. I am

“When they show up with violence and lies, we respond with dignity and truth. New Mexico must be a model for what justice looks like when we center humanity over fear and courage over comfort. We must rise to this moment in history.”

www.santafenewmexican.com/opinion/my_v...

How bipartisan support for public media unraveled in the Trump era "It will test every single shred of creativity we have to continue to try to serve our mission," says one public media executive, as Congress ends federal funding for public broadcasting.

Lawmakers on Capitol Hill have passed legislation on a narrow, party-line basis to eliminate all federal funding for public broadcasting for the next two years. That's $1.1 billion previously approved by the Republican-led Congress and President Trump.

What the 'One Big Beautiful Bill' will change for students, schools and colleges School vouchers are going national and the federal student loan system is getting an overhaul. Here's what to know.

School vouchers are going national and the federal student loan system is getting an overhaul. Here's what to know.

Nearly all of our very rual state relies on public radio for basic information. These stations are now at risk of shutting down because of Congress cutting their budgets

Trump’s DOJ wants states to turn over voter lists, election info • Source New Mexico The U.S. Department of Justice is seeking voter info from several states — including New Mexico — ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

NEW from me: New Mexico is at least the 10th state to receive a request from Trump's Department of Justice to hand over voter rolls in order to enforce the president's executive order on so-called election integrity.

The New Mexico Secretary of State's Office is still figuring out how to respond:

Update: The governor's long-planned National Guard deployment onto the streets of Albuquerque is underway.

This is a waste of resources.
It’s a misuse of authority.

And a signal that too many of our leaders are still relying on failed tactics that won’t make us safer.

Long-thwarted efforts to sell public lands see new life under Trump • Stateline Leaders in some Western states have long pushed for the federal government to relinquish control of parts of the public lands it owns. Now, as President Donald Trump’s administration talks about feder...

“The threat level is red alert,” said Randi Spivak, public lands policy director with the Center. “Some of these states have been champing at the bit for decades to privatize. They’re certainly not going to let this opportunity pass without an aggressive effort.” ⬇️

Pie chart showing that almost 67,000 people are confined for immigration reasons. 4,900 of them are held in local jails contracting with ICE.

Thousands of people detained by ICE are actually held in local, publically operated jails

These facilities–run by elected sheriffs–are making money off of the incarceration of people who are mostly accused of no more serious offense than crossing the border without permission

Local police join ICE deportation force in record numbers despite warnings program lacks oversight - AZ Luminaria ICE officials tout an unprecedented expansion of its 287(g) Program, driven by agreements that allow local officers to function as deportation agents during routine policing. Advocates warn such agree...

ICE has initiated 514 new agreements with local law enforcement agencies across 40 states since January — they empower local officers to question immigration status during traffic stops and other routine policing

With @propublica.org

Retired Marine Corps. leader concerned about military deployment in LA NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with retired U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Walter Gaskin about President Trump's activation of Marines and what comes with following orders on American streets.

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with retired U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Walter Gaskin about President Trump's activation of Marines and what comes with following orders on American streets.

Booker: "We have a president who did nothing as people stormed our Capitol, & then when those people who viciously beat police & led to some of their deaths - therefore cop killers - were convicted, he pardoned them. So for him to be talking about responsive law enforcement is hypocritical at best"

New Mexico's new open primaries bill is just the beginning • Source New Mexico New Mexico State Chair of the Forward Party Bob Perls explain his group's support for open primaries, and why it will help democracy.

In an op-ed for Source, former state lawmaker Bob Perls explains why New Mexico Forward, a new political party seeking minor party status in the state, thinks open primaries will be better for democracy.

DHS Announces Historic Travel Assistance and Stipend for Voluntary Self-Deportation Release Date: May 5, 2025 The First Illegal Alien to Utilize Travel Assistance has Already Returned to Honduras WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a historic opportunity for illegal aliens to receive both financial and travel assistance to facilitate travel back to their home country through the CBP Home App. Any illegal alien who uses the CBP Home App to self-deport will also receive a stipend of $1000 dollars, paid after their return to their home country has been confirmed through the app. Self-deportation is a dignified way to leave the U.S. and will allow illegal aliens to avoid being encountered by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Even with the cost of the stipend, it is projected that the use of CBP Home will decrease the costs of a deportation by around 70 percent. Currently the average cost to arrest, detain, and remove an illegal alien is $17,121. The first use of travel assistance has already proven successful. An illegal alien that the Biden Administration allowed into our country recently utilized the program to receive a ticket for a flight from Chicago to Honduras. Additional tickets have already been booked for this week and the following week. “If you are here illegally, self-deportation is the best, safest and most cost-effective way to leave the United States to avoid arrest. DHS is now offering illegal aliens financial travel assistance and a stipend to return to their home country through the CBP Home App,” said Secretary Kristi Noem. “This is the safest option for our law enforcement, aliens and is a 70% savings for US taxpayers. Download the CBP Home App TODAY and self-deport.” Illegal aliens submitting their intent to voluntarily self-deport in CBP Home will also be deprioritized for detention and removal ahead of their departure as long as they demonstrate they are making meaningful strides in …

The Trump admin just announced that it will buy plane tickets for some people who want to "self-deport" and give them $1,000 once they depart.

In a wildly deceptive claim, they say this will allow people to come back legally. For many people, THIS IS A LIE. Leaving will make their cases MUCH worse.

Immigrants without legal status must now register and carry documents, under court order • Source New Mexico As of Friday, millions of immigrants in the U.S. without legal authorization must register with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security

As of today, millions of immigrants in the U.S. without legal authority to be here must register with U.S. Homeland Security:

Lujan Grisham slams Legislature while vetoing swath of bills - New Mexico Political Report By Matthew Reichbach Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham vetoed 16 bills on Friday, the deadline for making decisions on legislation passed during the final days of this year’s legislative session, and used…

The governor vetoed a tax omnibus bill, a bill creating a license plate for NM United and a grid modernization bill. But it's what she said in her veto messages that showed her frustration with the Legislature.

- - Illustration of a happy bill getting signed into law and the text: Great policy news for NM: Governor Lujan Grisham just signed SB48 (the Community Benefits Fund) with historic investments in communities and clean energy into law. This proactive investment will build resilience to rising climate threats while creating jobs and new opportunities in villages, towns, and cities across New Mexico!

- Illustration of a happy bill getting signed into law and the text: “This is an important step in the right direction, providing an opportunity for New Mexico to help communities become more resilient and bounce back from wildfire, drought, and other harms caused by climate change and our country’s dependence on fossil fuels. With the federal government abandoning its responsibilities to the states, there is so much work to be done. The Community Benefits Fund provides hope that New Mexicans can step into the void and get it done.”

New Mexico's Governor Lujan Grisham just signed the historic investments in resilient communities and clean energy in SB48 (aka the Community Benefit Fund!!) into law✍️

#NMPol #NMLeg

New Rules For State Primary Elections Opens Voting Gates For Over 300,000 NM Independents; Founder Of Open Primaries Movement Weighs Potential Impact

joemonahansnewmexico.blogspot.com/2025/04/new-...

We need your help to pass SB16, semi-open primaries! Call or email your Representative and share the following ⬇️⬇️⬇️

I voted NO on House Republicans’ partisan funding bill.

Statement from Senators Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján: Donald Trump and Elon Musk have already grossly abused their power. Now Republicans want to pass a yearlong Continuing Resolution that gives Trump and Musk even more tools to harm our communities. We want to see the federal government funded and functional, and we have been fighting every day to force this administration to put the chainsaw down when it comes to the healthcare, education, and VA benefits our communities depend on. But we won’t stand by as Republicans try to shove through this power grab masquerading as a funding bill. For the people of New Mexico, we will vote ‘no’ on Republicans’ continuing resolution.

Authoritarians rise when people give up their power without a fight. I won’t do that.

My full statement with @lujan.senate.gov below.

100-Mile Border Enforcement Zone - Southern Border Communities Coalition

In these zones, border authorities assert excessive power, beyond the power of other law enforcement agencies, which leads to harassment, abuse, racial profiling and intimidation of border residents and travelers.

Learn more:
www.southernborder.org/100_mile_bor...

Thank you @repgabevasquez.bsky.social 👏🏼

Democrats blast U.S. House GOP budget, predicting potential cuts to Medicaid • Source New Mexico Congressional Democrats Tuesday lambasted the U.S. House GOP’s budget resolution, expressing concerns over Medicaid.

Congressional Dems predict trouble for Medicaid following the GOP House's budget resolution.

Kinship caregiver support pilot program heads to the House floor • Source New Mexico An estimated 40,000 New Mexico children were raised by grandparents, next-of-kin or family friends in 2024, according to the New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department, which cites parental…

An estimated 40,000 New Mexico children were raised by grandparents, next-of-kin or family friends in 2024, according to the New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department, which cites parental substance abuse disorders as the primary reason.

As a reminder to our people who live in the borderlands, “Within 100 miles of the land and sea boundaries of the United States, immigration officers have the authority to conduct a search. They can board public transportation and set up check points.”
www.southernborder.org/what_to_do_w...

Las Cruces delegation on major committees in 2025 - Las Cruces Bulletin Not much changed in the 2024 general election when it comes to who represents Las Cruces at the Roundhouse.  But as the 2025 Legislative session pushes into its second month, the Las …

🌞From The Las Cruces Bulletin & @just516garc.bsky.social: Las Cruces delegation on major committees in 2025 #nmleg #nmpol

www.lascrucesbulletin.com/stories/las-...

Behavioral health overhaul picking up steam at Roundhouse SANTA FE — New Mexico lawmakers’ push to overhaul the state’s mental health and substance abuse treatment system is creating unlikely political bedfellows but still faces a long road to

🩶From the ABQ Journal: Behavioral health overhaul picking up steam at Roundhouse #nmleg #nmpol

www.abqjournal.com/news/article...

“As a border state, we have a responsibility to support the hardworking people of New Mexico, and that includes ensuring immigrants—who are integral to the fabric of our community—are not left behind,” said Laura Parra, Community Organizer from Café Acción.