New Mexico
New Mexico governor refuses National Guard deployment for mass deportations
New Mexico’s Democratic governor has firmly rejected President-elect Donald Trump’s plan to deploy the National Guard in support of mass deportations, slamming the policy as detrimental to both families and the state’s economy.
Trump has repeatedly pledged to deploy the National Guard to enact his mass deportation policy and promised to shut down the CBP One app, end the catch-and-release policy, and reinstate the “Remain in Mexico” program as part of his hard-line immigration agenda.
In an exclusive statement to Newsweek, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham stressed her commitment to opposing policies that she believes would “wreak havoc” on New Mexico’s workforce and communities.
“We’ll use every legal tool at our disposal to challenge mass deportations, and we’ll join with other states in doing so because there is strength in numbers,” said Lujan Grisham.
Chip Somodevilla
“I will not assign the New Mexico National Guard to assist with mass deportations that break up families and wreak havoc on our economy in New Mexico. Federalizing the guard so that we have no one here to deal with natural disasters and other emergencies is untenable,” Lujan Grisham told Newsweek.
The governor’s statement comes as Trump has made immigration a key issue in his agenda, with plans for aggressive deportation policies and a crackdown on illegal immigration. Lujan Grisham, however, expressed concern about the broader implications of such measures on both the state’s residents and its resources.
While opposing mass deportations, Lujan Grisham made it clear that she is willing to cooperate with the federal government to address criminal activity related to immigration. She said that New Mexico would welcome the assistance of additional federal agents.
“We want every resource available that assists with investigations, interdictions, and deportations of convicted felons and those who enter our country and engage in criminal activity. If the incoming Trump administration wants to assign more federal agents to work with us in that regard, it is welcomed. This is where our focus should be.”
Tom Homan, the former acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, has been put in charge of overseeing mass deportations.
The newly appointed border czar has repeatedly criticised Democrats who are unwilling to cooperate with the incoming administration.
Newsweek understands the governor has not spoken with Homan since the president announced his nomination.
Lujan Grisham also called on Congress to revive and pass a stalled bipartisan border security bill, advocating for a more comprehensive solution to immigration challenges.
“If President-elect Trump and Republicans who will soon control both chambers of Congress want to solve the larger immigration challenge, they should revive and pass the stalled bipartisan immigration bill,” she said.
“If they’re serious about securing the border as opposed to just grandstanding on this issue, they’ll pass the bill.”
In response, Trump-Vance Transition Spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt told Newsweek Trump will carry out “the largest deportation operation” in U.S. history and lower costs for Americans.
“President Trump will enlist every federal power and coordinate with state authorities to institute the largest deportation operation of illegal criminals, drug dealers, and human traffickers in American history while simultaneously lowering costs for families and strengthening our workforce,” the incoming White House press secretary said.
“The American people reelected President Trump by a resounding margin, giving him a mandate to implement the promises he made on the campaign trail, like deporting migrant criminals and restoring our economic greatness. He will deliver.”
New Mexico, a border state with significant immigrant populations, has been at the center of debates on immigration enforcement. Lujan Grisham’s position adds her to a growing list of state leaders who are preparing to challenge the incoming administration’s controversial immigration policies.
Democrats across the nation are spearheading a wave of grassroots activism, legal actions, and legislative initiatives to safeguard immigrant communities.
Trump has vowed to go after those admitted into the United States under programs established to protect migrants from certain countries.
A letter signed by seven leading Democratic Party senators seen by Newsweek was sent to President Joe Biden, asking him to act now to protect current legal migrants.
Lujan Grisham urged the president-elect and the American public to adopt more respectful rhetoric when discussing immigrants.
“I urge the President-elect and all Americans to use respectful rhetoric when talking about migrants who are seeking a better life, or anyone else for that matter,” Lujan Grisham said.
When patients are admitted to The University of New Mexico Hospital, they are usually there for something like an infection, a surgery or another medical emergency. But many of those same patients also live with substance use disorders. Until recently, that aspect of their health often went untreated during their hospital stay.
Now, a program called CAMINOS is changing that.
“We are an addiction medicine consult service,” said Sergio Huerta, MD, medical director of CAMINOS. “Anybody with an addiction in the hospital, we can see, even if it hasn’t been diagnosed yet. The whole concept is to meet people where they’re at when they’re most vulnerable and most in need.”
CAMINOS, which stands for Coordinating Addiction Medicine with Inpatient and Outpatient Services, connects patients with treatment during their hospital stay and helps them transition into ongoing care once they leave.
Huerta, who is board-certified in both addiction medicine and internal medicine, explained how the program works.
“We go talk to the patient, offer them treatment services, including medications, and refer them to treatment,” he said. “We also have a peer on our team with lived experience in recovery. Patients who are seen by peers tend to do better. They’re more adherent to their medications and treatments when they leave the hospital.”
It’s a reachable moment when patients are here. By offering treatment, we help them feel more comfortable, we help them stay and complete their care, and we give them a better chance at recovery. That’s what makes this work so meaningful.
– Sergio Huerta, MD, Medical Director, CAMINOS
For Chris Smith, MD, director of operations for CAMINOS and section chief of Hospital Medicine, the impact is evident.
“Almost every patient we see is not here primarily for their substance use disorder,” Smith said. “They’re admitted for something else. Before our service, these problems weren’t always addressed. Now, the primary team can call us to see the patient, and we can start them on treatment during their stay.”
Before CAMINOS, patients with addictions often left the hospital with little more than a referral sheet.
“There wasn’t really much help for patients with substance use disorders,” Huerta said. “We treated the admitting diagnosis, like pneumonia, and then gave them a list of resources for when they left. That really wasn’t the best way to do things.”
The stakes in New Mexico are especially high. The state has the highest alcohol-related death rate in the country and is consistently ranked among the worst for drug overdose deaths. Huerta estimates that about one in 10 New Mexicans lives with a substance use disorder.
At UNM Hospital, that means a large share of inpatients also need addiction treatment. In its first year, CAMINOS logged more than 1,200 consults, making it one of the busiest consult services at the hospital. Of those patients, more than 450 were newly started on proven medications like buprenorphine or methadone for opioid use disorder.
Substance use disorders are everywhere. No matter what you end up doing as a physician, you’re going to see patients with this. Having that background makes you a better provider.
– Chris Smith, MD, Director of Operations, CAMINOS & Section Chief, Hospital Medicine, UNM Hospital
“Even if only half of those patients continue treatment after discharge, that’s a huge success for a population that can be very difficult to engage,” Smith said.
The program’s impact is visible every day, Huerta said.
“These patients are always the most appreciative and the most thankful,” he said. “Just showing them that there’s somebody here who cares goes a really long way.”
Smith noted that patients who start treatment for addiction are less likely to leave the hospital against medical advice. They are also more likely to follow through with other treatments for conditions like diabetes, infections or chronic disease.
“It has a dramatic change on their whole hospital stay,” Smith said.
The program is also shifting how hospital staff think about addiction. Huerta shared how some clinical teams that were once hesitant to start addiction medications are now more comfortable doing so thanks to CAMINOS.
“Our goal is that the primary teams feel more comfortable identifying and treating substance use disorders,” Huerta said. “We’re beginning to change the culture.”
CAMINOS is also an educational hub. Medical students, resident physicians, and trainees in their fellowship now rotate through the service, learning to treat substance use disorders alongside experienced providers and peer support specialists.
“Substance use disorders are everywhere,” Smith said. “No matter what you end up doing as a physician, you’re going to see patients with this. Having that background makes you a better provider.”
Huerta and Smith see CAMINOS as a model for the future. They hope to expand the program to serve more patients, strengthen outpatient connections and eventually help people across the state through call-in support lines and partnerships with other hospitals.
“It’s a reachable moment when patients are here,” Huerta said. “By offering treatment, we help them feel more comfortable, we help them stay and complete their care, and we give them a better chance at recovery. That’s what makes this work so meaningful.”
Our state’s protests were part of a nationwide movement with more than 2,600 rallies held across the country.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — From the metro to Taos and Truth or Consequences, people came together for Saturday’s No Kings Rally.
Many New Mexicans made signs and protested, upset with the direction that they say the country is heading.
The protests were part of a nationwide movement, with more than 2,600 rallies held across the country. The No Kings rallies took place in the backdrop of a seemingly never-ending government shutdown, as lawmakers on Capitol Hill are at a standstill.
Protesters KOB 4 spoke with Saturday say that they hope for better days.
“Our avenues are narrow. We can do this peacefully, and we can vote,” said a protester.
“Obviously, Congress isn’t going to help us out. So we have to do this grassroots stuff. We have to come out and show the king that wants to be that we don’t want a king,” said another protester.
Some of our elected leaders were also there, including Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury. Crowds came together for a peaceful rally.
“Just the fact that this many people are going back to the fundamentals and standing for them. If we don’t have a king or a third-term president, democracy can return,” said a protester.
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