A man from Venezuela who said he fled kidnapping and torture in his home country has been held in federal immigration custody in New Mexico for nearly six months.
Now, he’s watching Immigration Customs and Enforcement agents deport other Venezuelan asylum seekers — not to their home country but to places in Mexico that are potentially dangerous for people migrating. The man already experienced violence in that country and fears more if he is forced back to a place where human rights advocates have documented many other refugees who have faced kidnapping, torture and assaults.
Trapped between the fear of violence and persecution in their home countries, the treacherous journey through Central America, and a Biden administration policy that some experts say effectively bans asylum in the United States, he and hundreds of other people are being held in administrative detention for prolonged periods without knowing their future.
The Biden administration published a rule in May that created a presumption of ineligibility for asylum, which means people can be denied entry into the country if they passed through another country on the way without applying for asylum in that country.
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Advocates sometimes refer to the regulation from Biden as an “asylum ban” because of how hard it is for people to overcome the presumption.
Nearly six weeks ago, immigration attorney Sophia Genovese said she and her team of four law students won the release of some Venezuelans from the Cibola County Correctional Center in Milan, N.M.
However, in late March, deportation officers in Cibola told the rest of the men still held there that the ICE El Paso Field Office would not release any more Venezuelans from custody into the United States, according to emails shared with Source New Mexico. Instead, the federal government had plans to start deportations to Mexico, the emails show.
The officers handed the Venezuelans forms in English asking whether they would be afraid of being deported to Mexico. Source New Mexico reviewed a redacted copy of the form.
Two immigration attorneys, Sophia Genovese and Zoe Bowman, said that without access to a translator, some asylum seekers said yes, feeling left without a choice and wanting to get out of detention. Some said no, refusing to go back to Mexico.
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“A lot of people are desperate because it’s not easy here, it’s very difficult,” the asylum seeker said of the conditions inside Cibola County Correctional Center. “A lot of them are taking their chances, risking their lives to be deported.”
Genovese, who represents the asylum seeker, said the people who are going to be deported to Mexico aren’t receiving information about what happens afterward.
Source New Mexico interviewed the asylum seeker by telephone through an interpreter, and granted him anonymity in order to protect him from possible retaliation in his asylum case for sharing his story.
He’s not the only Venezuelan refugee who refuses to be deported to Mexico. On March 29, when deportation officers at Cibola started informing Venezuelan asylum seekers they intended to deport them to Mexico, 145 of them wrote a letter to ICE to state their abuses and fear of removal to Mexico.
“This is unjust. We suffered greatly in Mexico when we traveled to the USA to seek asylum,” they wrote. “To send us back to Mexico is to send us back to danger and death.”
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Deportation to Mexico is only one potential outcome for the asylum seekers, but ICE has not confirmed what will happen to them. ICE is processing removals before any release requests, Genovese said.
ICE did not answer questions about the deportations from the Cibola County Correctional Center sent by Source New Mexico on April 8. We will update this story if and when we hear back.
‘No end in sight’
Some Venezuelan asylum seekers who have received orders by a federal judge to be deported are being held for prolonged and indefinite periods of time in detention facilities in New Mexico, Colorado and Louisiana. This is according to emails from Genovese and another immigration lawyer to high-ranking ICE officials in March and April.
Genovese, managing attorney at the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center, and Sirine Shebaya, executive director of the National Immigration Project, explained in the emails to ICE “there is no end in sight to the detention of Venezuelan nationals” because of a diplomatic dispute between the U.S. and Venezuela.
In January, Venezuela announced it would “stop accepting repatriation flights from the U.S.” after the U.S. imposed oil sanctions in response to Venezuelan courts’ decision to uphold a ban blocking a leading opposition candidate for the presidency.
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That same month, the U.S. State Department went a step further and declined to renew an oil and gas relief license with Venezuela due to political repression of opposition party members by the Venezuelan government. That license expires Thursday.
The Migration Policy Institutereports that the U.S. and Venezuela were negotiating cooperation in accepting returnees, but the deal fell apart in February.
“This political situation between the United States and Venezuela makes removal to Venezuela impossible in the reasonably foreseeable future,” the lawyers wrote to ICE. “These individuals should not be detained while their deportation is impracticable. We therefore request that ICE take immediate steps to release them from detention.”
Since then, 65 Venezuelan asylum seekers have been deported from Cibola County to Mexico, according to Genovese. The first group included 15 people deported on April 1, and a second group of 50 people on April 5, she said.
Around a dozen Venezuelan asylum seekers are also stuck in limbo at the Otero County Processing Center in Chaparral and the El Paso Service Processing Center, according to Bowman, who meets with asylum seekers and has clients in both facilities.
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“It’s not because they have ongoing court proceedings, or there’s anything they can do with their immigration cases,” said Bowman, who is the supervising attorney with the Detained Deportation Defense team at Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center. “They’re just sitting there because ICE doesn’t know what to do with them.”
The asylum seeker said men still held in Cibola spoke with some of those who were deported, who told them they were put onto a plane to Tapachula near the border with Guatemala, and released “in a very dangerous area.”
Genovese said based on what the first group experienced, and through communications with people still held at Cibola, they were dropped off in the southern part of Mexico near the border with Guatemala, and not given any immigration paperwork, “essentially stranded.”
Favorable weather conditions in place for hazardous fuels reduction work
ALBUQUERQUE, NM – December 5, 2025 – The Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands (NF & NGs) is planning prescribed fire pile burn operations on the Sandia Ranger District as early as Tuesday, December 9 pending all required approvals. We estimate this work to continue throughout the month of December as weather conditions allow.
Fire managers are taking advantage of recent precipitation, snow covered ground, cooler temperatures, and relative humidity recoveries that create suitable conditions for burning piled slash and woody debris from earlier forest restoration work. We use prescribed fires to help protect local communities, infrastructure and natural resources from wildfires.
Sandia Ranger District Prescribed Fire planned for:
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Cedro Unit Prescribed Pile Burn: 15 acres of piles within the Cedro unit in the Sandia Piles Rx plan. The pile burn area is in the Manzanita Mountains. Cedro is located south FSR 462, east of NM-337. Smoke may be visible from Albuquerque, Tijeras, Edgewood and Moriarty, NM. Map attached.
Sulphur Unit Prescribed Pile Burn: 18 acres of piles within the Sulphur unit in the Sandia Piles Rx plan. The pile burn area is in the Sandia east mountains, north of I-40, west of NM-14 and south of NM-536. Smoke may be visible in the surrounding areas of Albuquerque, Tijeras, Edgewood and Moriarty, NM. Map attached.
This area may be closed to the public for several days during burn operations for public safety. Watch for warning signs along roads near all prescribed fire areas before and during burns.
Residents may experience smoke during the prescribed burn. For more detailed information about air quality, go to AirNow online or download the app. Smoke is expected to lift during the day, however, cooler overnight temperatures may cause smoke to settle into low-lying areas surrounding the burn location. When driving, slow down and turn on your headlights when you encounter smoke on the road.
We will evaluate weather conditions in the hours before a burn begins. If conditions warrant, scheduled prescribed fire activities may be canceled.
Stay informed about scheduled prescribed fires through InciWeb, New Mexico Fire Information and on the Cibola NF & NGs website, Cibola Facebook and Cibola X sites. We will notify county emergency management officials when burning begins.
About the Forest Service: The USDA Forest Service has for more than 100 years brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation. Grounded in world-class science and technology– and rooted in communities–the Forest Service connects people to nature and to each other. The Forest Service cares for shared natural resources in ways that promote lasting economic, ecological, and social vitality. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, maintains the largest wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. The Forest Service also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 900 million forested acres within the U.S., of which over 130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.
Map for Cedro Unit Prescribed Pile Burn on the Sandia Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest and National GrasslandsMap for Sulphur Unit Prescribed Pile Burn on the Sandia Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Check out community events around New Mexico from December 5 to 11.
Albuquerque
December 5 Hanging of the Greens – The University of New Mexico welcomes students, families, and alumni to campus at 5:30 p.m. Attendees can enjoy hot chocolate and biscochitos before joining Santa and Mrs. Claus, Lobo Louie and Lucy, and a team of elves for caroling across campus. The group will make its way to University House, where they will present UNM President Garnett Stokes with a holiday wreath. Visitors can take in the glow of luminarias lining sidewalks, courtyards, and historic buildings. Carolers will continue to Hodgin Hall Alumni Center for the President’s Posole Reception, held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The reception is free and open to the community.
December 5 Old Town Holiday Stroll – Celebrate tradition with family and enjoy some holiday shopping at local businesses. Join the City of Albuquerque for the kick-off of the holiday season and be entertained by local performers. Discover new stores, visit familiar staples, and continue the tradition in the beautifully illuminated heart of Albuquerque. This free event is from 5 to 9 p.m. in the Old Town Plaza.
December 5 A Winter Evening at Sandia Prep – Join Sandia Preparatory School for a cozy evening filled with festive fun, warm refreshments, and community connections. Enjoy a hot chocolate, listen to performances by student music groups, and shop for unique gifts from community vendors. Capture special moments with loved ones against beautiful seasonal backdrops, including a visit with Santa, Prep’s own Sugar Plum Fairy, and Frozen’s Olaf. Find the perfect read for friends, family, or yourself at the Scholastic Book Fair. This event is open to all families from any school and runs from 4:30 to 7 p.m.
December 5-6 Holiday Craft & Plant Fair – Get ready to deck the halls (and gardens) at the Albuquerque Garden Center’s annual Holiday Fair. This festive event will be held on December 5 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and December 6 (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.). Browse a wide selection of handcrafted gifts and festive décor from over 35 talented local artisans. Discover the perfect winter plants to bring life to any indoor space. Immerse in the holiday spirit with delicious treats and a joyful atmosphere. This is a free event, perfect for the whole family.
December 5-7 25/26 ACL Albuquerque Open – Get ready for another exciting American Cornhole League Open, bringing together both Pros and Amateurs in a competitive atmosphere. Players can compete in a variety of tournaments on Friday to kick off the weekend right. At the heart of the action are Doubles on Saturday and “Sunday Singles” for all skill levels. It’s a weekend full of nonstop competition, fun, and excitement. This event is open to the public, so come out and experience it first-hand. Over $25,000 is guaranteed in prizes and cash payouts. Visit iplaycornhole.com for a full schedule of events.
December 5-28 Winter Wonderland NM – Step into pure holiday magic at Winter Wonderland, back at EXPO NM and bigger than ever. This year, enjoy even more spectacular attractions, live actors, interactive lights, and holiday cheer for the entire family. Each ticket unlocks an unforgettable drive-thru experience plus access to the ever-expanding Walking Tour, now featuring two vibrant sections: Villa Hispana and Indian Village. For the full schedule and tickets, visit winterwonderlandnm.com/events.
December 5-30 River of Lights – Get into the holiday spirit and enjoy a stroll along the 1-mile path featuring over 700 one-of-a-kind hand-welded light displays, animated and 3D sculptures, and millions of twinkling lights at New Mexico’s largest and most beloved original walk-through holiday light show. This event takes place from 5 to 10 p.m. each day (closed on December 24 and 25) at the ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden, with two low-sensory nights scheduled for December 1 and January 2. Tickets are $21 for general admission and $12 for youth 3-12. A schedule of value nights is available online.
December 5-31 Sawmill Winter Experience – This holiday season, Sawmill Market transforms into a magical, immersive holiday experience with twinkling lights, enchanting decor, and an atmosphere sure to surprise and delight. This wondrous festival of dining and seasonal refreshments will captivate the senses while a holiday-themed digital installation and mini moments of wonder enchant visitors of all ages. The free experience recurs daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
December 6 Twinkle Light Parade – Get excited for the holiday season with another year of festive lights and community fun. This is a free, family-friendly holiday event that illuminates a mile-long stretch of Route 66 in Nob Hill. Entries in the parade are comprised of local businesses, community and school groups, and a variety of Albuquerque organizations, all dedicated to bringing the community together and shining bright for all to see. Central Ave. will close to traffic starting at 3 p.m., giving shoppers the freedom to get holiday shopping done at a variety of stores or eat at restaurants in Nob Hill. Plan to arrive early, shop, then grab a spot to view the Twinkle Light Parade as it will dazzle thousands of spectators. The parade is from 5:15 to 8:15 p.m.
December 6 Christmas at the Marketplace – Celebrate the holidays with family and friends at Christmas at Poulin Marketplace. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 8600 Pan American Fwy NE, enjoy a festive day filled with shopping, inspiration, and holiday cheer. Discover the newly expanded Marketplace and Design Center, featuring 20+ local artisans and unique Christmas gifts. Shop stunning décor—ornaments, candles, glassware, tableware, and more. Take photos with Santa, enjoy local eats, and sample hand-blended loose-leaf teas and handmade syrups. This event is free to attend.
New Mexico
December 5 Bernalillo: Ceramic Luminaria Workshop – In this workshop, participants will create a handmade ceramic luminaria using slab techniques. On day one (December 5), participants will create the luminaria, then add designs by carving on the surface of the clay. Luminarias will be bisque-fired between sessions. On day two (December 12), participants will paint the luminarias using underglaze and glaze. Luminarias will be fired one final time and returned to participants to take home. The workshop is free, and all supplies are furnished. Participants must register to attend and must be at least 10, and those under 17 must bring an adult. Both sessions are from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Bernalillo Community Museum.
December 5 Taos: Lighting Ledoux – The Harwood Museum of Art and the Ledoux Street neighbors are kicking off the holiday season with the annual winter celebration, Lighting Ledoux. Enjoy bonfires and farolitos, performances along this historic street, free museum admission, holiday art-making, an artist market, and lots of festive cheer. This free, family-friendly event is from 4 to 7 p.m.
December 6 Santa Fe: Holiday Mercado: Navidad – Celebrate the season Southside-style at this free community event. Shop handmade gifts, art, and local products while supporting Santa Fe’s small businesses, food vendors, and creative entrepreneurs. Enjoy free holiday arts and crafts, photos with Santa, and creative activities for all ages. This event is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
December 6 Farmington: Luminaria Display – Each year, San Juan College thanks the community for their support with a phenomenal display of luminarias on the campus grounds and buildings. A glimmering array of bags will shine from rooftops, along sidewalks, in courtyards, and select campus parking lots throughout the evening. The community can drive through the display. The driving route will open at 6 p.m.
December 6 Ruidoso Festival of Lights Parade – Ruidoso’s beloved Festival of Lights Parade brings friends and family together for an evening of twinkling lights and togetherness in the winter wonderland of Ruidoso. The Ruidoso Valley Chamber of Commerce is partnering with Toys for Tots and encourages everyone to bring a new, unwrapped toy to the Parade of Lights. During the parade, Toys for Tots will have a float and will be collecting toys for donation. This year’s theme for the parade is Muppets Christmas. The parade is from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Sudderth Drive.
December 6 Hillsboro: Christmas in the Foothills – This pre-Christmas celebration is held in Hillsboro annually. Much of the festivities happen at the Hillsboro Community Center, where highlights include the famous $49.99 Art Sale, raffles, food, and vendors selling handmade holiday wares. Meanwhile, downtown merchants and restaurants will deck their halls and welcome visitors. Each year, a poster is created by a local artist or artisan, and signed copies are available for sale. This free event is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
December 6 Carlsbad: Winter & Wine Festival – Shop local for holiday gifts, food, and entertainment. General admission guests can enjoy sipping, swirling, and shopping. Wine is provided by local New Mexico wineries. Ten tastings are included in the price of the ticket, along with a souvenir glass. No one under the age of 21 will be admitted, and a photo ID is required. This event is from noon to 6 p.m.
December 6-7 Monticello Holiday Store – All sorts of wonderful handmade holiday gifts are available for two weekends only. Numerous local artisans and farmers offer balsamic vinegar, harissa, essential oils, herbal products, jewelry, bread, jams, jellies, posole, wreaths, ornaments, knitwear, custom knives, sweet treats, ornaments, and many other items. This free event is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days.
December 6-7 Silver City Holiday Artisan Market – The Silver City Holiday Artisan Market is held annually on the first weekend of December at the Grant County Veterans Memorial Business and Conference Center. This juried show features over 30 local artists and is open to the public at no charge. The event is Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
December 6-7 Santa Fe: 2025 Winter Spanish Market – This beloved holiday tradition celebrates the enduring legacy of Spanish Colonial art in New Mexico. Whether discovering it for the first time or returning to a favorite seasonal event, this market offers a warm and festive showcase of traditional arts and culture. Featuring local and regional artists, the market includes handmade works across classic art forms such as tinwork, woodcarving, retablos, straw appliqué, and more—all rooted in centuries-old traditions. Enjoy live music, food, and holiday cheer in a family-friendly setting. This free event is at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center.
Albuquerque Notices
🔶AMAFCA tumbleweed snowman returns to Albuquerque for the holiday season — A friendly face has returned to Albuquerque on Wednesday. The Arroyo Flood Control Authority has set up its iconic tumbleweed snowman this morning along I-40.
🔶Bernalillo Co. purchases 84-unit affordable housing complex on 4th St. — Bernalillo County announced the purchase of an 84-unit affordable housing complex on Wednesday. “Poblana Place Apartments” is located at 2818 Fourth St. NW.
🔶Albuquerque providing free curbside green waste collection — The City of Albuquerque’s Solid Waste Management Department is offering free curbside green waste collection through Friday, December 12.
🔶Disney’s Descendants: The Musical at Cardboard Playhouse Theatre — The Cardboard Playhouse Theatre in Albuquerque is getting ready to bring a popular Disney Channel Original Movie to life. This month, they will be putting on a production of Disney’s Descendants: The Musical.
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🔶Albuquerque City Council approves more money to replace dying turf at city parks — Albuquerque City Council has approved more money to replace dying turf at city parks. The resolution sets aside $2 million in emergency funding to restore the turf.
🔶APD: Auto theft down 42% compared to last year — Car theft is taking a nosedive in Albuquerque. The Albuquerque Police Department said they’re seeing fewer cases, with the city potentially falling off a notorious top ten list.
🔶City of Albuquerque to host last in-person ‘Toys for Tots’ sign-up on Dec. 6 — Time is running out to register for the Toys for Tots program. Organizers say the sign-up period is coming to a close, with the final in-person session slated for Saturday, Dec. 6 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
🔶Keller Vs. White: Albuquerque Mayoral Runoff — Albuquerque’s mayoral runoff election is officially one week away, and early voting is December 1st through December 6th. In one of their final appearances before Election Day, Chris and Gabby host incumbent Mayor Tim Keller and former Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White.
🔶List: Holiday light displays in Albuquerque for 2025 — It’s time for the holidays. If you’re looking for a way to celebrate, maybe start with one of Duke City’s light displays. From luminarias to Christmas trees, there are a variety of ways to partake in the festivities.
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🔶City of Albuquerque to host winter break activities for families — With December underway, the City of Albuquerque Department of Youth & Family Services plans to host multiple activities for kids and families during the winter break.
New Mexico Notices
🔶New Mexico Tech holding annual pet day for students — With finals around the corner, many students are feeling the pressure, but a unique program is giving students something to look forward to at New Mexico Tech. Tech’s pet day is put on by the student government and the Mental Health Committee to help students de-stress before finals.
🔶‘A little bit bigger, brighter’: New Mexico astronomy expert shares supermoon insight — If the moon looks a bit bigger, it’s not your imagination. The last supermoon of the year is making its appearance on Thursday evening.
🔶NMDGF finds above historic average amount of brown trout in some rivers — Biologists from the state’s department of game and fish found that brown trout are above historic averages in Cimarron and Red River. Last fall, biologists conducted a trout population survey.
🔶State continues push to train New Mexicans in high-paying jobs — New Mexico’s Jobs Training Incentive Program is looking to train more than 50 New Mexicans in high-paying jobs. Seven companies from across New Mexico will participate in the upcoming sessions.
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🔶New Mexico’s role in understanding dinosaur extinction timeline — The extinction of the dinosaurs may be ancient history, but that history continues to be rewritten, thanks in part to a professor at New Mexico State University. As Chad Brummett discovered for New Mexico Frontiers, our state could play a crucial role in better understanding the timeline that led to the disappearance of giants.
🔶Torrance County offering new way for residents to receive emergency notifications — Torrance County is offering a new way for residents to stay up to date with what’s happening. The county said it is using TextMyGov, which will allow residents to receive text messages for general, emergency, fire, and weather alerts.
🔶Celestial events New Mexico residents can look out for in 2026 — As 2025 comes to a close, you may be looking ahead to the new year. And if you’re into stargazing or anything celestial, there’s a myriad of dates to mark on your 2026 calendar as full moons, meteor showers, and more are expected to take to the New Mexico skies.
🔶Animal shelter in Taos reopens after summer closure — One of northern New Mexico’s few animal shelters is back in business months after shutting down because of financial and safety problems. Director of Stray Hearts Animal Shelter, Kristen Van Norman, said that reopening has been a long road since the middle of the year.
🔶U.S. Department of Justice sues New Mexico Secretary of State over disclosure of voter lists — The United States Department of Justice is suing New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver over state voter registration lists. The lawsuit claims that the USDOJ is allowed to receive the records at its request. They said that the DOJ was looking into whether New Mexico was in compliance with federal law. The lawsuit said that states are required to provide the list with voters’ names, addresses, driver’s license numbers, or partial Social Security numbers every two years. The lawsuit states that Toulouse Oliver refused to turn over those records.
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🔶Nearly 13% of New Mexicans could lose access to SNAP following new work requirements — The USDA has begun implementing new food stamp work requirements across all 50 states, putting tens of thousands of New Mexicans at risk of losing their SNAP benefits, but the state of New Mexico says, there are ways to avoid losing those benefits.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Dry air has moved in behind Thursday night’s storm, leading to clearer skies from west to east today.
Clouds will linger a bit longer in eastern New Mexico, with highs staying 5 to 15 degrees below normal, reaching the upper 30s and low 40s in the east.
Tonight, clearing skies will cause temperatures to drop sharply, with many valleys falling into the teens and single digits.
Gallup and Grants are expected to drop into the single digits, and Angel Fire may dip below zero.
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Fog is unlikely tonight and Friday morning, though a few pockets of low clouds or brief visibility issues are possible near Dulce, the Estancia Valley, and the Lower Pecos River Valley near Roswell.
