NEW MEXICO-IMMIGRANTS

New Mexico bill would divest police of immigration functions

Santa Fe, New Mexico, Feb 10, 2005 (EFE)-- The New Mexico state Senate on Thursday passed a bill that prevents local and state police officers from acting as immigration agents.

The bill's enactment was cheered by immigrant advocates, who say aliens in New Mexico are afraid to call on police only to be deported. The bill still needs to pass the lower house before it is submitted to Gov. Bill Richardson for his signature.

Mario Duarte, a spokesman for the Human Rights Coalition, said the law will set down rules for all the state's police departments. "At present, if an immigrant is arrested by a police officer, it is up to the officer to demand immigration documents or not," Duarte said. Immigrants' reluctance to ask the police for help has allowed crime and violence to rise, especially in Hispanic neighborhoods, Duarte said.

EFE ml/mp

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