New Mexico

Republican Party’s HQ set ablaze, tagged with “ICE=KKK” in New Mexico

Published

12 months ago

March 30, 2025

Republican Party’s HQ set ablaze, tagged with “ICE=KKK” in New Mexico

The Republican Party of New Mexico’s headquarters in Albuquerque was intentionally set on fire in an act of arson and vandalized with a spray-painted phrase “ICE=KKK.”

Why It Matters

During his 2024 campaign, President Donald Trump promised mass deportations of undocumented and criminal migrants, a policy that has been shown to be popular among voters across the political spectrum, before and after the election.

However, the administration has faced backlash for invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, allowing the administration to deport noncitizens without the opportunity for a hearing before an immigration or federal court judge, and for revoking visas for students.

Trump empowered U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to conduct arrests in or near sensitive locations such as schools and universities to enforce these policies, such as the arrest of a graduate student from the University of Minnesota, the arrest of Tufts University student Rumeysa Ozturk, and the arrest of Palestinian activist and legal U.S. resident Mahmoud Khalil.

Fire damage and vandalism at the New Mexico headquarters of the Republican Party on March 30.

Republican Party of New Mexico

What To Know

Albuquerque Fire Rescue responded to an alarm at the New Mexico office of the Republican Party and quickly got control of the fire, according to a post on Facebook.

The Albuquerque Fire Rescue wrote in its post that it dispatched first responders at around 5:56 a.m. local time, with a fire engine on the scene immediately and taking control of the fire within five minutes. Authorities determined the structure had suffered damage to the entryway and smoke damage throughout the building, but they found no injuries to civilians or firefighters.

“AFR Fire Investigators are currently on scene along with teams from the FBI and ATF,” the post read. “This is an active and ongoing investigation. No additional information available at this time.”

But inside the building, members of the party upon returning found that someone had vandalized a wall with spray paint, writing, “ICE=KKK.”

Republican New Mexico Chairwoman Amy Barela told Newsweek that the party is working “closely with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), local law enforcement, and federal investigators” to find who is responsible and hold them “accountable.”

What People Are Saying

Republican New Mexico Chairwoman Amy Barela told Newsweek in a statement on Sunday: “We are deeply relieved that no one was harmed in what could have been a tragic and deadly attack. Those who resort to violence to undermine our state and nation must be held accountable, and our state leaders must reinforce through decisive action that these cowardly attacks will not be tolerated.”

“We are working closely with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), local law enforcement, and federal investigators. We are committed to providing every piece of evidence necessary to bring those responsible to justice and ensure they are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. We will not allow New Mexico’s broken criminal justice system to dilute the seriousness of this attack.”

She continued: “The Republican Party of New Mexico will not be silenced. We will emerge from this stronger, more united, and more determined to fight for the people of New Mexico and the future of our country,” she added. “Let us not forget: it was the Democrat Party that once supported the formation of the KKK, pushed Jim Crow laws, and defended slavery. Today, we see the same dangerous tendencies play out in new forms—attempts to suppress free speech, silence dissent, and use fear to control the political narrative. Our fight is not just for our party—it’s for every New Mexican who wants a safer, freer, and more accountable state. We will never back down.”

What Happens Next?

The Republican Party of New Mexico will work with AFR Fire Investigators and the ATF to determine the responsible parties.

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New Mexico

New Mexico Environment Department to hold hearings on Project Jupiter air quality

Published

12 hours ago

March 26, 2026

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New Mexico Environment Department to hold hearings on Project Jupiter air quality

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New Mexico

UNM plans to build new gates along Central

Published

24 hours ago

March 26, 2026

Press Room

UNM plans to build new gates along Central

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The University of New Mexico plans to build new gates at four campus entrances along Central that will close nightly.

The gates will replace manual barriers in a project expected to cost about $1.5 million.

The Board of Regents approved the security upgrades for the UNM campus.

University officials said the gates will automatically close nightly from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

The gates will go in near Princeton Drive, Stanford Drive, Yale Boulevard and Terrace Street on the south end of campus.

A current rendering shows the gate completely blocking the road. Officials said the change will reduce unauthorized traffic and allow police officers to focus more effectively on prevention and response.

Construction will start in May. University officials hope to finish the project by September.

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New Mexico

9-year-old who pleaded to go to spelling bee is released from ICE detention

Published

1 day ago

March 25, 2026

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9-year-old who pleaded to go to spelling bee is released from ICE detention

A 9-year-old boy who begged to be released from an immigration detention center so he could attend his state spelling bee has been freed with his family, their lawyer said Wednesday.

Deiver Henao Jimenez made the plea during a video call this month with children’s entertainer Ms. Rachel, whose real name is Rachel Accurso.

“I don’t want to be here anymore,” Deiver said on the call, which was later shared on Accurso’s social media pages. “Nothing is good here.”

He and his parents, asylum-seekers from Colombia, had been held at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in South Texas since early March, when they were detained during a routine immigration check-in in New Mexico, according to their lawyer, Corey Sullivan Martin.

ICE freed the family on humanitarian parole Wednesday, about a week after Martin filed a request for their release and days after NBC News reported on their case.

Deiver Henao Jimenez finished third in a Spanish spelling bee organized by Las Cruces, N.M., Public Schools.Las Cruces Public Schools

His elementary school principal wrote a letter in mid-March supporting the family’s release, which was later delivered to immigration officials, describing Deiver as “a dedicated student with excellent attendance and high marks.”

Sullivan Martin said Deiver is eager to return to school, rejoin his gifted and talented classes and get back to practicing his spelling words.

“I don’t see how it was necessary at all to detain a child who was doing exactly what we want children to do,” Sullivan Martin said.

The family planned to return to New Mexico, she said, where they will continue checking in with immigration officials while their case proceeds.

The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Deiver was released a day after ICE freed another child whose case drew widespread attention following a video call with Accurso. Gael, a 5-year-old boy with developmental disabilities, had experienced worsening medical issues while he was detained at Dilley, his parents said.

The facility has faced growing scrutiny from immigration lawyers and advocates, who say children there have struggled to access adequate medical care and education in an environment where lights remain on around the clock and officers stand guard. Some families have described poor food and long waits for medical attention.

DHS has disputed those accounts, saying families are provided appropriate care in a facility designed for their needs.

After her video meetings with the children, Accurso — known for her signature pink headband and singsong delivery — called for Dilley to be shut down and for families to be returned to their communities.

During their conversation, Deiver told Accurso he missed his friends and said the food at Dilley made his stomach hurt. But he was most worried about getting out in time to compete in New Mexico’s state spelling bee in May after he earned a spot by placing third at a regional competition.

“We’re trying to get a child out of a jail to do a spelling bee,” Accurso said last week. “I just never thought those words would go together.”

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