On Friday, June 20, approximately 2000 people marched in Downtown Albuquerque to protest President Donald Trump’s immigration policies and call for the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
ICE has conducted raids across the United States, with a quota of 3000 arrests daily, according to Reuters. The New Mexico Immigration Law Center has seen a rise in local ICE arrests, including at people’s homes, workplaces and immigration court hearings, according to Source NM.
The protest began at Civic Plaza, during which mariachi performers sang and played songs, and organizers gave speeches to the crowd before the march.
Protesters then marched from Tijeras Avenue to Lomas Boulevard and occupied the intersection of Lomas and 4th Street for speeches, before marching back to the Civic Plaza on 4th Street, where the protest concluded, having lasted around three hours.
Alexandria Aragon and Destiny Lopez, two of the organizers of the protest, said this was their first time organizing an event this large.
“I want to be the voice for the community that cannot speak to themselves right now because they're in fear every day that they could be sent into horrible detention centers and camps,” Aragon said.
According to a March 2024 report by Colorado College researchers that partnered with the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center, immigrants who lack permanent legal status detained at the New Mexican Immigration Detention Facilities in Milan and Estancia experienced “inhuman conditions,” including potential excessive force by guards, inadequate medical and mental health care, exposure to health hazards from ill-prepared food and further violations of the 2011 Performance-Based National Detention Standards.
Aragon said that she wants to see more rights being given to the immigrants in New Mexico and to people who are trying to get the legal pathway to citizenship.
“(We) also want the legal pathway to be faster, quicker, easier. So people don't have to wait 10 to 15 years to become a legal citizen,” Lopez said.
Paloma Chapa is the multimedia editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at multimedia@dailylobo.com or on X @paloma_chapa88
Jaden McKelvey-Francis contributed reporting to this story.
More
PHOTO STORY: Albuquerque No Kings march draws several thousand
March 29Major intersections were shut down for Albuquerque’s third No Kings protest, which drew approximately 50,000 participants to Montgomery Park and hosted multiple speakers, including former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams. Chants criticizing President Donald Trump, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the war in Iran echoed throughout the crowd. Some participants highlighted Blackstone’s proposed acquisition of energy supplier Public Service Company New Mexico, chanting “Our home is not a sacrifice zone,” and carrying banners that read “Back off Blackstone." Radiance LaJeunesse, who marched with the crowd, said she attended because of “all injustices,” including (the Trump Administration) “pulling children away from their families and killing American citizens.” “It's got way out of hand, this little science experiment that Trump wants,” LaJeunesse said. “I won't lie. I do believe that Democrats are a little spineless. I am a Democrat. But because that's the only way I can vote in every single election, so I make sure to do that.” Leila Chapa is the social media and photo editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at socialmedia@dailylobo.com or on X @lchapa06 Paloma Chapa is the multimedia editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at multimedia@dailylobo.com or on X @paloma_chapa88
PHOTO STORY: Treasures of the Earth Expo
March 23The Treasures of the Earth Expo, presented by the Albuquerque Gem and Mineral Club, welcomed visitors of all ages with vibrant displays of minerals and engaging activities. From Friday to Sunday, March 20-22, at the Expo NM State Fairgrounds, guests were warmly greeted by volunteers. After buying their tickets, they could cast their vote in the gemstone display competition and entered a raffle for a chance to win prizes. Among the organizations competing for the standout displays were the San Juan College Sherman Dugan Museum of Geology and the New Mexico Mineral Museum. Their booths showcased gems and minerals accompanied by informative pamphlets containing historical and scientific facts. This year’s expo drew a lively crowd eager to explore the wide variety of gemstones, jewelry, fossils and unique mineral-themed products. In addition to the marketplace and display competition, the event featured a daily silent auction where attendees bid on coveted stones and gems to take home. Beyond raw gems and decorative jewelry, vendors offered mineral lamps, wine caps adorned with polished stones, gua shas, dinosaur teeth and an array of intricately carved figures including dragons, skulls, pirate ships, mushrooms and moon shapes. For those needing a break, The Taco Guy provided food options, and tables and chairs were available for guests to relax and recharge. Paulina Acosta-Marta is a freelance photographer for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at photo@dailylobo.com or on X @dailylobo
