On April 28, President Trump signed an Executive Order to enforce federal law with respect to sanctuary jurisdictions to protect their citizens from what he calls “dangerous illegal aliens.”
The Order directs the Attorney General and Secretary of Homeland Security to publish a list of States and local jurisdictions obstructing federal immigration law enforcement and notify each sanctuary jurisdiction of its non-compliance, providing an opportunity to correct it. Sanctuary jurisdictions that do not comply with federal law may lose federal funding.
The Order directs the Attorney General and Secretary of Homeland Security to pursue all necessary legal remedies and enforcement measures to bring non-compliant jurisdictions into compliance. It instructs the Attorney General and Secretary of Homeland Security to develop mechanisms for proper eligibility verification in sanctuary jurisdictions to prevent illegal aliens from receiving federal public benefits.
Trump’s Executive Order is supposed to ensure illegal aliens are not being favored over American citizens by directing the Attorney General to address state or local laws that unlawfully prioritize aliens. This includes in-state tuition benefits for aliens or criminal sentencing factors that favor aliens.
IMMIGRANT FRIENDLY CITY VERSUS SANCTUARY CITY
Trump’s Executive Order instructs the departments of Justice and Homeland Security to compile a list of sanctuary jurisdictions across the United States, targeting them for potential cuts to federal funding. According to the Center for Immigration Studies, a conservative think tank, the two New Mexico cities Santa Fe and Las Cruces are already on that list. Albuquerque, notably, is not. The likely reason for that is the Albuquerque City Council has enacted an ordinance declaring the city an “immigrant friendly city.”
It was in 2001, long before Trump was President, that the Albuquerque City Council declared the city to be an “Immigrant-Friendly City” by City Council ordinance. The ordinance was originally sponsored by former Republican City Councilor Hess Yntema who represented the South East Heights area, including the International District that has the highest concentration of immigrants. Councilor Yntema’s wife is also naturalized citizen of the United States. In 2018, Albuquerque passed amendments to the original ordinance affirming the city was an “immigrant-friendly city,” again carefully avoiding the term “sanctuary city.”
The ordinance provides that the City of Albuquerque “welcomes and encourages immigrants to live, work and study in Albuquerque and to participate in community affairs, and recognizes immigrants for their important contributions to our culture and economy.”
Former City Councilor Pat Davis, who co-authored the measure, said the distinction was deliberate. Davis said this:
“We were really clear about being sure that we didn’t use sanctuary language. …We wanted to ensure transparency and cooperation, but also protect vulnerable residents.”
A “Sanctuary City” requires local government to essentially shield the undocumented from federal authorities and federal arrests. “Immigrant Friendly” cities on the other hand enact policies that are favorable to undocumented people to allow them city services like all other residents and its local law enforcement personnel do not make arrests for violations of federal immigration laws and only make arrests of undocumented people for violations of local ordinances and state laws.
Albuquerque does allow the sharing of arrest records of municipal and state violations with federal immigration agents. However, the city does not compile any information on immigration status of suspects and prohibits Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from using municipal facilities or resources. This balance distinguishes the city’s approach from more overt sanctuary city policies.
HIGH-PROFILE CRIMES AMPLIFY DEBATE
The sanctuary city debate is fueled by high-profile crimes involving immigrants lacking permanent legal status that have shocked the city. One such crime was the 2009 killing of a Denny’s employee by three Salvadoran nationals. A second murder was the 2019 murder of Jackie Vigil, the mother of a state police officer, who was shot and killed in her driveway in the early morning hours as she was on her way to the gym by a Mexican national in the country illegally. Her husband, Sam Vigil, later spoke at the White House about the killing and he endorsed then Bernalillo County Sheriff Manny Gonzales who was running against Mayor Tim Keller who was running for his second term.
$68 MILLION IN FEDERAL AID AT STAKE
The stakes are high if the Trump Administration in fact labels Albuquerque a sanctuary city. If that happens, the city risks losing more than $68 million in federal funding, roughly five percent of the city’s annual budget. The potential loss of funding includes:
- $26 million for the Sunport and Double Eagle airports
- $11 million for housing programs
- $8 million for public transit
- $6 million for the Albuquerque Police Department
The link to a quoted or relied upon news source is here:
KELLER MAKES TRUMPS CUTS ISSUE IN MAYOR’S RACE
Mayor Tim Keller for his part is being very aggressive in taking on President Trump and his threats to cut federal funding to the city.
On Sunday, March 24, Mayor Tim Keller spoke to upwards of 250 people seated in the gymnasium at the city’s Monzano Mesa Multigenerational Center located two blocks South East of Central and near Costco. The event was billed as “DEFEND ABQ, Standing Strong For Families”.
The entire program was Mayor Tim Keller discussing and outlining in detail the impact Trump budget cuts and other actions taken by the Trump administration will have on the city. Keller emphasized the need for “steady and experienced” leadership and said this:
“It’s real here. … It’s real in every city in America. That’s what is so terrible about this. … What they are doing is destroying every aspect of our community, including the business community. … These dangerous cuts are very real for every city in America and would have huge consequences for our families in Albuquerque. But this is not our first rodeo with Donald Trump, and we will keep fighting for our families and defend our city against anyone trying to tear us apart. … These potential cuts are, pure and simple, dangerous to our city. Regardless of our party or feelings about the White House, no one in Albuquerque is better off when kids go without child care, a crime lab is without officers, streets and neighborhoods are without trees, or seniors go without meals. … Like during Trump’s first term and the COVID pandemic, I will use all the tools we have, create new ones, and work with local and state government partners to keep our city running. I will stand up for every resident as we prepare for what could be exceptionally tough times.”
Keller touched on topics ranging from budget cuts to immigration. Keller outlined Trump Administration major cuts that will affect the city services. The Trump cuts include federal affordable housing funding, cutting vouchers for the unhoused, and cutting funding for homeless shelters. Cuts to transportation include cutting federal funding for road improvements, bike lanes and trails, bus routes and for the city’s multimillion dollar “rail trail” development.
Keller noted that 39% of New Mexico families are enrolled in Medicare and the Trump Administration is talking about making cuts to the program. Keller noted that there are 44,000 New Mexicans who are employed by the Federal Government and how blanket layoffs are already occurring in the city and New Mexico.
Keller outlined how federal funding cuts will impact other areas including:
PUBLIC SAFETY: The city could see an impact to a number of areas in law enforcement including drug enforcement, crime fighting technology and a decrease in the size of the police force with federal funding for 50 police officers cut. Keller asked “Can you imagine how detrimental that would be, especially given the challenges we’re having with crime?”
HOUSING: Trump federal funding cuts will affect projects like the “Uptown Connect” project which is a federally funded mixed-use development that will replace the the Uptown Transit Center. Included in the development are almost 200 affordable housing units. Keller said this: “We will never see it if Trump keeps doing what he’s doing.”
MINORITY BUSINESSES: Trump also issued an executive order laying out plans to eliminate government entities, including the Minority Business Development Agency.
One area Keller claimed the city is fighting back against Trump relates to “diversity, equality and inclusion” (DEI). Keller said the city will continue promoting DEI as Trump tries to crackdown on DEI programs across the country. Keller pledged to continue with the city’s Office of Equity and Inclusion, the Office of Civil Rights, and the Office of Financial Empowerment, all 3 which Keller created, and continue with the city’s Climate Action Plan.
KELLER MAKES MISTAKE CALLING CITY “SANCTUARY CITY”
Keller made the mistake or misspoke when he declared during his March 24 event that the city is a “Sanctuary City” when in fact it is an “Immigrant Friendly” city as decreed by a city council ordinance. Notwithstanding the mistake, Keller went on to discuss the city’s immigrant friendly policies in great detail. Keller pledged to protect immigrant rights and went so far as to say “We’re not going to work with ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement). … We are not going to change now.”
Keller said the city plans to continue with its current immigration policies, which are immigrant friendly policies. The immigrant friendly policies enacted by city council ordinance limits or denies cooperation with federal immigration authorities, prevents city resources from being used for immigration enforcement or for sharing information about an individual’s immigration status, unless legally required.
The city does not collect or retain information on a person’s immigrant status and APD makes arrests only for violations of local ordinances and state laws allowing law enforcement resources to be used for city and state laws. APD does not make arrests for violations of federal immigration laws and leaves that responsibility to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal law enforcement agencies such as the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
SANCTUARY CITY DEBATE BECOMES ISSUE IN MAYOR’S RACE A SECOND TIME
The divisive issue of Sanctuary City is not new to Albuquerque. In 2009, Mayor Richard Berry ran on a tough on crime and a tough-on-immigration platform and defeated incumbent Mayor Martin Chávez. Once in office, Berry allowed ICE to use city resources and operate out of the city’s prisoner transport center. The practice was reversed after Mayor Tim Keller took office in 2017.
Berry defended the policy of allowing ICE to utilize city resources at the time, saying it allowed local police to focus on public safety rather than immigration enforcement. Berry said this at the time:
“It keeps APD officers from doing immigration work, which is important while they’re fighting crime in the streets.”
In 2025, the accusation that the city of Albuquerque is a sanctuary city is once again becoming an issue in the race Mayor of Albuquerque as Mayor Tim Keller seeks a third 4 year term.
Republican Darren White is one of 11 candidates running for Mayor. White is the controversial former Cabinet Secretary of the Department of Public Safety for then Republican Governor Gary Johnson. White is a former two term Bernalillo County Sheriff and former Albuquerque Chief Public Safety Officer under Republican Mayor Richard Berry.
White is essentially running on the same platform Richard Berry used to defeat Mayor Marty Chavez. White proclaims himself to be a “proven leader,” “tough on crime” and a “champion for change.” White asserts that there have been 660 murders during Keller’s years in office, that an alarming number of businesses have had to close down because of crime and that Keller has made Albuquerque a “sanctuary city.” White proclaims in his announcement:
“Mayor Keller has presided over the most murders in Albuquerque’s history. His weak approach to crime and homelessness has failed and it’s time for change.”
In a fund-raising letter, White falsely proclaimed this:
“One of Keller’s first acts as Mayor was too make Albuquerque a Sanctuary City for illegal immigrants who commit crimes. Now we have case after case of violent crimes being committed by illegal immigrants, many of who have been arrested multiple times but turned back onto the streets by this Mayor’s backward policies. As Mayor, I will end the Sanctuary City law immediately.”
EDITOR’S COMMENTARY: Simply put, former APD Officer Darren White knows better, unless he flunked “Constitutional Law” at the APD Police Academy which is a real possibility given some of the things that come out of his mouth. White knows Keller has no authority to simply “turned back onto the streets” people arrested for a violent crime as White claims and White knows its the courts that makes such decisions following due process of law. He is using the issue of sanctuary city to “gin up” anti immigrant fever as Trump has done on the national level.
SIX OUT OF ELEVEN CANDATES RESPOND TO CHANNEL 7
The immigration debate has resurfaced with intensity in the 2025 Albuquerque Mayors Race. KOAT TV Channel 7 reached out to the 11 candidates running for mayor in 2025. Only six candidates responded to KOAT’s inquiry on whether they would retain the immigrant-friendly ordinance.
The 5 candidates running for Mayor who did not respond to Channel 7 are:
- Daniel Chavez
- Alpana Adair
- Adeo Herrick
- Louie Sanchez
- Timothy Keller
The 6 candidates who did respond to Channel 7’s line of questioning are:
- Alexander Uballez
- Darren White
- Mayling Armijo
- Eddie Varela
- Patrick Sais
- Brian Fejer
On May 7, KOAT TV Channel 7 published on its web page the following line of questions and candidate responses:
- ALEX UBALLEZ
Channel 7 Question: Are we an immigrant-friendly city or a sanctuary city?
Alex Uballez Answer: By city ordinance [R-18-7], the people of Albuquerque have declared Albuquerque to be immigrant friendly.
Channel 7 Question: Can you define the difference between the two?
Alex Uballez Answer: Neither is a legal term, so we rely on context for definition. An immigrant friendly city is defined in ordinance as a city that “welcomes and encourages immigrants to live, work and study in Albuquerque and to participate in community affairs, and recognizes immigrants for their important contributions to our culture and economy.” In the President’s Executive Order, he has defined sanctuary jurisdictions as a “local jurisdiction that obstruct[s] the enforcement of Federal immigration laws.” The operative word is “obstruct.”
To put it in plain terms, if a person ran a marijuana shop in violation of federal law, a civilian witness (or a city) would violate federal law if they physically blocked the way of FBI agents as they executed an arrest warrant on the owner. “[W]elcoming and encouraging immigrants to live, work and study in Albuquerque,” does not “obstruct the enforcement of Federal immigration laws” and so it appears that the President did not include cities like Albuquerque in the scope of his Executive Order.
Channel 7 Question: If we are an immigrant-friendly city, does that mean we will not help provide information to ICE agents about the immigration status of the people living here?
Alex Uballez Answer: By ordinance, “no City agency, department, officer, employee, or agent shall collect, make, or initiate any inquiry regarding the citizenship or immigration status of an individual,” (with enumerated exceptions). This means that the City of Albuquerque is not collecting information regarding immigration status, and therefore, none will be available upon request of ICE agents.
Channel 7 Question: If we are not going to provide that information to ICE agents, Albuquerque is threatened with losing federal funding. What would you do without that federal funding?
Alex Uballez Answer: Because Albuquerque does not obstruct federal immigration law, there are no grounds in the current Executive Order to defund the City of Albuquerque. Even if the DOJ and DHS misinterprets the President’s words, they would have no legal basis to force compliance—the federal government cannot force local officials to enforce federal laws (Printz v. United States).
Furthermore, the federal government has enough immigration resources, having conscripted the federal agencies tasked with keeping us safe from violence and drugs, like the DEA and US Marshals, to instead enforce federal immigration law. We need our police to pick up the slack and keep us safe from violent crime and drug trafficking in the absence of federal attention. This right to prioritize the people of Albuquerque is enshrined in the Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution: the federal government “may neither issue directives requiring the States to address particular problems, nor command the States’ officers, or those of their political subdivisions, to administer or enforce a federal regulatory program.”
Furthermore, the President does not have the power to impose conditions on federal grants—only Congress does. Even if the President wanted to defund Albuquerque, it would take an act of Congress to achieve it. We’ve won this in Court before (City and County of San Francisco v. Trump) and will win again. Finally, we are strong enough to withstand a President who would ignore his own words and the law.
As United States Attorney, I led the USAO through the single largest budgetary shortfall in DOJ history and kept us in the black the entire time all while fighting violent crime, drug trafficking, and unearthing thirty years of corruption in the Albuquerque Police Department. The City budget has ballooned by nearly 50% from just under $1B in 2018 to $1.4B today, far outpacing inflation and population growth. Just as I did in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, we would go line-by-line through the budget and the organization chart finding every extra dollar to keep our city afloat all while improving the service we provide to the people.
Channel 7 Question: If elected, are you going to push to have the city declared immigrant-friendly, a sanctuary city, or neither?
Alex Uballez Answer: I will fight to protect the people of Albuquerque. We do that by getting to work here at home: driving down violent crime, building solutions to homelessness, and growing a vibrant economy. If we care about violent crime, that means we care about victims and witnesses being brave enough to call for help and testify in court and not fear that they or their family members will be deported. If we care about the unhoused, that means we care about lowering the barriers to getting people into houses. If we care about our economy, it means we care about the massive contributions of the tens of thousands of undocumented immigrants in Albuquerque—from their innovation, to their hard work, to the taxes they contribute, to their vibrant role in our culture and our community. At the end of the day, I will never trade lives in Albuquerque for statistics in D.C.
- DARREN WHITE
Channel 7Question: Are we an immigrant-friendly city or a sanctuary city?
Darren White Answer: Albuquerque is clearly a Sanctuary City, which was enacted by Mayor Keller in 2018.
Channel 7 Question: Can you define the difference between the two?
Darren White Answer: The difference is that Mayor Keller’s Sanctuary City law specifically prohibits ICE from being present in the Prisoner Transport Unit to determine if those arrested for crimes in Albuquerque are here illegally. This prevents ICE from being able to put detainers on illegal immigrants who are arrested for crimes, which leads to them being released back onto our streets.
Channel 7 Question: If we are an immigrant-friendly city, does that mean we will not help provide information to ICE agents about the immigration status of the people living here?
Darren White Answer: We have had an immigrant-friendly policy for years, and the Albuquerque Police Department has never enforced federal immigration law against witnesses, victims, etc. What Tim Keller did was specifically provide protection for illegal immigrants arrested for crimes. This has led to numerous tragedies involving illegal immigrants who have been released back onto our streets and commit more crimes, including murder.
Channel 7 Question: If we are not going to provide that information to ICE agents, Albuquerque is threatened with losing federal funding. What would you do without that federal funding?
Darren White Answer: I will repeal the Sanctuary City Law immediately upon taking office.
Channel 7 Question: If elected, are you going to push to have the city declared immigrant-friendly, a sanctuary city, or neither?
Darren White Answer: If elected, I will not allow Albuquerque to be a Sanctuary City for illegal immigrants who commit crimes and we will fully cooperate with federal law enforcement. We will continue to protect witnesses and crime victims, but we will not shield illegal immigrants from ICE when they are arrested for crimes. I will ensure that ICE can once again maintain a presence in the Prisoner Transport Unit. Under Mayor Keller, Albuquerque has been plagued by a historic crime crisis, including over 750 murders. Police already have more than enough to deal with from local criminals who are preying on our community — we don’t need more who are here illegally.
- MAYLING ARMIJO
Channel 7 Question: Are we an immigrant-friendly city or a sanctuary city?
Mayling Armijo Answer: Albuquerque is an immigrant-friendly City. Albuquerque officially became an immigrant-friendly City in 2000 with the passage of Resolution R-00-151.
Channel 7 Question: Can you define the difference between the two?
Mayling Armijo Answer: The term “Sanctuary City” is not legally defined. However, it refers to cities that limit cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and protect individuals from being questioned or detained based solely on their immigration status. Because the terms (Immigration-friendly and Sanctuary) are often used interchangeably, there are no specific differences other than Albuquerque officially declares itself an Immigrant-friendly City and legally sets forth the rights and privileges of immigrants.
The Twenty-third City Council (Bill R18-7) enacted a Resolution regarding the City’s status as an Immigrant-friendly City. It more specifically provides as follows:
- “ The City welcomes and encourages immigrants to live, work, and study in Albuquerque and to participate in community affairs, and recognizes immigrants for their important contributions to our culture and economy;”
- The City shall not discriminate on the basis of a person’s national origin and will treat all persons with respect and dignity, regardless of immigration status”
- The City resolution reaffirms that “no municipal resources shall be used to identify individuals’ immigration status or apprehend persons on the sole basis of immigration status, unless otherwise required by law to do so”
- Further the Resolution acknowledges that the Tenth Amendment of the Constitution of the United States recognizes the sovereign status of the states and their political subdivisions and precludes the federal government from attempting to compel state and local governments, either directly or by their use of threats to withhold federal funding, to assist the federal government in enforcing federal laws, including immigrations laws.”
Channel 7 Question: If we are an Immigrant-friendly City, does that mean we will not help provide information to ICE agents about the immigration status of the people living here?
Mayling Armijo Answer: Immigrant-friendly Cities do not report undocumented immigrants to Border Patrol or ICE. They do not impede federal law enforcement. They do not assist with federal law enforcement. They do not shelter or conceal immigrants from detection. They do not gather immigration status of the people living in their cities. However, it is imperative to understand that an immigrant-friendly city will prosecute an undocumented immigrant if they commit a crime.
Channel 7 Question: If we are not going to provide that information to ICE agents, Albuquerque is threatened with losing federal funding. What would you do without that federal funding?
Mayling Armijo Answer: Federal funding is imperative for the continued success, betterment, and safety of the citizens in Albuquerque. My expertise and experience in economic development provide me with the skills necessary to attract new businesses to the community to diversify our tax base. We would work to improve infrastructure, promote the community’s strengths and unique characteristics, and request participation from the State and the County. I would like us to explore tapping into new revenue streams such as opioid settlements and marijuana tax revenue, implementing budget cuts to streamline spending, and encouraging partnerships with private organizations and philanthropists to secure more funding for specific initiatives. Also, I would work closely with the New Mexico Federal Delegation to advocate for continued federal funding.
Channel 7 Question: If elected, are you going to push to have the City declared immigrant friendly, a sanctuary city or neither?
Mayling Armijo Answer: Albuquerque is already well-established as an immigrant-friendly City, and under my administration, if elected, will remain so. On April 28, the current president issued an executive order titled “Protecting American Communities from Criminal Aliens.” Based upon research by the University of New Mexico, there is no correlation between immigrant-friendly/Sanctuary Cities and crime. In fact, research shows that cities with sanctuary policies have lower crime rates than cities without them.
Sanctuary policies encourage participation in community policing by all members of the community and engagement with social services and community and economic development initiative that mitigate poverty. Immigrants have always played a vital role in New Mexico’s economy. I believe that involvement in federal civil immigration laws would undermine our already limited community policing, hinder a productive and trusting relationship with the immigrant community, and divert public safety resources in addition to violating constitutional rights of the citizens of New Mexico under the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution of the United States.
- EDDIE VARELA
Channel 7 Question: Are we an immigrant-friendly city or a sanctuary city?
Eddie Varela Answer: Albuquerque is both an immigrant-friendly and a sanctuary city. Albuquerque passed a policy in 2018 which prevents local government and law enforcement from questioning or disclosing a person’s immigration status or using city resources to enforce federal immigration laws. This law also aligns with the definition of a sanctuary city, which limits cooperation with federal enforcement.
Channel 7 Question: Can you define the differences between the two?
Eddie Varela Answer: Cities that are friendly to immigrants generally support them in many ways but might still follow federal rules on immigration. Sanctuary cities, on the other hand, go a step further by limiting how much they help federal immigration officials, aiming to protect undocumented immigrants.
Channel 7 Question: If we are an immigrant-friendly city, does that mean we will not help provide information to ICE agents about the immigration status of the people living here?
Eddie Varela Answer: We will cooperate with all federal agencies.
Channel 7 Question: If we are not going to provide that information to ICE Agents, Albuquerque is threatened with losing federal funding. What would you do without federal funding?
Eddie Varela Answer: If elected Mayor of Albuquerque, we will not lose federal funding under my administration for any reason.
Channel 7 Question: If selected, are you going to push to have the city declared immigrant-friendly, a sanctuary city, or neither?
Eddie Varela Answer: Neither.
- PATRICK SAIS
Note: Sais only replied to the first three questions.
Channel 7 Question: Are we an immigrant-friendly city or a sanctuary city?
Patrick Sais Answer: We are called immigrant-friendly.
Channel 7 Question: Can you define the difference between the two?
Patrick Sais Answer: No defense
Channel 7 Question: If we are an immigrant-friendly city, does that mean we will not help provide information to ICE agents about the immigration status of the people living here?
Patrick Sais Answer: Yes, I will comply.
- BRIAN FEJER
Channel 7 Question: Are we an immigrant-friendly city or a sanctuary city?
Brian Fejer Answer: Neither – Albuquerque has been an autonomous city since 1706.
Channel 7 Question: Can you define the difference between the two?
Brian Fejer Answer: The phrases “immigrant-friendly city” or “sanctuary city” are partisan talking points, just like #HousingFirst or #BuildTheWall.
Channel 7 Question: If we are an immigrant-friendly city, does that mean we will not help provide information to ICE agents about the immigration status of the people living here?
Brian Fejer Answer: According to the United States Constitution, the Tenth Amendment limits the federal government’s power, preventing it from “commandeering” state and local governments to enforce federal laws #ReadingIsFundamental
Channel 7 Question: If we are not going to provide that information to ICE agents, Albuquerque is threatened with losing federal funding. What would you do without that federal funding?
Brian Fejer Answer: The State of New Mexico has always been too dependent on Federal spending. We need to diversify. Given that our state is sitting on $53.407 billion dollars in financial reserves from oil, gas, and investments for a rainy day, maybe it’s time to realize that we’re up to our necks in flood waters.
Channel 7 Question: If elected, are you going to push to have the city declared immigrant-friendly, a sanctuary city, or neither?
Brian Fejer Answer: Neither. Our current immigration system in the United States is rooted in the atrocities of WW2. Given that we supposedly live under a system of Constitutional Checks and Balances, to update and change immigration laws, the United States legislative branch would have to pass immigration reforms. The GOP has been killing reforms for two decades. The Democrats are too feckless to counter the GOP’s subhuman immigration rhetoric. The right to seek asylum emerged from the atrocities of World War II, leading to its incorporation into international law through the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol. The U.S. recognized this right and incorporated it into domestic law with the Refugee Act of 1980.
The link to the quoted news source is here:
https://www.koat.com/article/mayoral-candidates-divided-on-albuquerques-immigrant-friendly-status-amid-federal-funding-threats/64707080
FINAL COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS
There is no doubt that crime and the city’s homeless crisis will be the two biggest issues in the 2025 Mayor’s race. Should Trump’s Executive Order result in the city being declared a Sanctuary City and it loses millions in federal funding the fallout will no doubt revive immigration as a political flashpoint in the 2025 municipal elections where the Mayor and 5 City Council seats will be on the ballot.