New Mexico Department of Justice urges state Supreme Court to stop Otero County ICE contract

Attorney General Torrez argued that Otero County lacks authority to hold federal immigrant detainees who have not been charged or convicted.

By: Patrick Lohmann

Outlets: Source New Mexico

Published: April 1, 2026

Words: 520

Last Updated: 4 months ago

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The New Mexico Department of Justice on Wednesday asked the state Supreme Court to intervene to prevent Otero County from maintaining a federal immigrant detention contract.

The Otero County Commission last week voted to extend its agreement with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency and private prisoner operator MTC to house roughly 900 immigrant detainees at the Otero County Processing Center in Chaparral.

The commission’s unanimous vote on March 25 occurred despite …

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