Sen. Griego Sponsors Bill to Prohibit Law Enforcement from Asking About Immigration Status

Today, State Sen. Eric Griego (D-Albuquerque) introduced Senate Bill 419, which would prohibit any state law enforcement officer or state agency personnel from asking about immigration status or enforcing any federal civil immigration laws. He announced his bill to wild cheers at today's immigration rights march and rally in Santa Fe, which drew around 400-500 people. As Sen. Griego said at the rally, "“We have to say this is wrong. Anyone should not be a suspect just because of the way they look or because their last name is Martinez or Sanchez or Griego.”

Sen. Griego told me about 20 lawmakers have signed on as cosponsors, including the Senate Pro-Tem Tim Jennings (D-Roswell) and the Majority Leader, Sen. Michael Sanchez (D-Belen). The bill would effectively nullify Executive Order 2011-09 issued by right-wing Governor Susana Martinez, which requires state law enforcement officers to ask suspects about their immigration status.

Sen. Griego admitted that Gov. Martinez will likely veto the bill if it passes. In my view, our Dem lawmakers should challenge Susana with legislation whenever possible -- whether the issue is immigration, health care, the environment or taxes -- forcing her to take a public stand to defend her vetoes of measures she won't support yet have widespread support. We can show over and over again that Martinez is pushing a tea party agenda in overturning legislation passed by a majority of New Mexico's lawmakers.

Sen. Griego first mentioned his bill last week, when discussing the New Mexico governor's "papers please" executive order and two other bills that have been introduced to counter it (see previous post with video). 

Photos from today's immigration rights rally courtesy of mocnm.