Here’s a rundown on the legislative agenda from Somos Acción
- SB36 Non-disclosure of sensitive personal information and MVD data: This would limit state employees’ and agencies’ information, including certain MVD records sold to for-profit data brokers. (Sponsors Sen. Antionette Sedillo López and Rep. Christina Parajón)
- SB177 Streamlining U visa certifications: establishes a uniform process for law enforcement to process U visa certification requests for immigrants who are victims of crimes. (A U visa provides temporary legal status.) This would impose a statutory timeline for responding to requests, establish an enforcement mechanism if entities fail to follow procedures, require entities to provide requests with a written denial and ensure no arbitrary requirements on those applying for certification. (Sponsors Sen. Antionette Sedillo-López and Rep. Angelica Rubio)
- HB64 In-state tuition and financial aid for immigrant workers: amend the non-discrimination and tuition equity law to allow adult immigrant workers and taxpayers access to in-state tuition and financial aid for credit and non-credit training programs at community colleges. (Sponsored by Rep. Eleanor Chavez and Sen. Linda Trujillo.)
Not yet introduced or part of other funding bills:
- Immigrant Safety Act: would close a loophole that allows ICE and for-profit detention centers to use New Mexico counties as pass-throughs to avoid regular scrutiny of the disastrous safety records of immigration detention centers. (Anticipated sponsors are Rep. Eleanor Chavez and Rep. Christine Chandler.)
- No Local Resources for Immigration Enforcement Policy: would create a statewide policy to prevent the use of local resources to help arrest and deport immigrant New Mexican families solely based on their immigration status. (Anticipated sponsors are Sen. Antonio Maestas and Rep. Angelica Rubio.)
- The Internet Privacy and Safety Act would prevent companies from collecting and selling New Mexicans’ personal information without affirmative opt-in. (Sen. George Muñoz and Rep. Pamelya Herndon are anticipated sponsors.)
- Legal Immigration Service Fund: allocating additional funding to the Civil Legal Service Fund and the Crime Victims & Reparation Commission to help immigrant families in deportation proceedings and/or victims of crime.
- Increased Funding for the Adult Education Division: $6 million would be allocated to the Adult Education Division to provide more adult literacy, high school equivalency, and English and ESL classes in rural communities. The division’s salaries would also be increased to be on par with public school teachers.
- Flexible Funding for Wrap Around Support Services and Innovative Programming: flexible funding to help low-income workers enrolled in job training and certification programs through the Clean Horizons Act.
- Increased funding for workforce training and economic support pilot program to broaden access to credit and non-credit training programs run through community colleges or regional workforce boards.
- Funding for Free High School Equivalency Tests and Mobile Testing Centers: This bill would allocate $2 million for testing and centers in rural areas. (Rep. Joy Garratt is the anticipated sponsor.)