Albuquerque City Council Passes "Safety and Privacy in Community Spaces" Ordinance

ALBUQUERQUE, NM – In a landmark vote at the March 16, 2026, City Council meeting, Albuquerque Councilors passed Ordinance O-26-15, the “Safety and Privacy in Community Spaces” ordinance, by a vote of 5-4.  The legislation, co-sponsored by Council President Klarissa J. Peña, District 3, Councilor Joaquín Baca, District 2, Councilor Nichole L. Rogers, District 6, and Councilor Stephanie W. Telles, District 1, codifies permanent protections for residents accessing municipal services and local businesses.

The ordinance aligns Albuquerque with the recently enacted New Mexico Immigrant Safety Act (HB 9), prohibits the use of City-owned structures—including parks, parking lots, and garages—as staging areas or processing locations for federal civil immigration enforcement. It further designates sensitive municipal facilities as "Safer Community Places," restricting voluntary access to non-public areas without a judicial warrant.

Aligning with the framework currently under consideration in the New Mexico State Legislature through HB-9, this local bill seeks to establish clear boundaries regarding civil immigration enforcement on City property and within essential community hubs.

"Today’s vote is a victory for our City and the families of District 3 who deserve to visit our community centers and libraries without fear,” said Council President Klarissa J. Peña.  By passing the Safety and Privacy in Community Spaces ordinance, we have made it the law of the land that Albuquerque’s resources belong to the community, ensuring our parks and facilities remain spaces of service, not staging grounds."

Strengthening Municipal Neutrality

A primary component of the bill prohibits the use of City property, (including parks, offices, and maintenance facilities) as staging areas for civil immigration enforcement. To ensure transparency and security, the City will be required to:

• Post clear signage stating that City property is not for use in civil immigration enforcement.
• Implement physical security measures, such as locked gates or barriers, to secure sensitive areas from unauthorized mobilization efforts.

Councilor Joaquín Baca, District 2, believes the Downtown corridor and North Valley communities will benefit from the ordinance’s provisions. “Our small businesses now have legal clarity on how they can lawfully protect their private workspaces and their employees. Public and private spaces are defined in a way that respects constitutional rights while supporting our local economy. I am proud to see my colleagues join us in this commitment to a safer, more predictable environment for all workers."

“This is a moment of restored trust for a majority of people in the International District and Southeast Albuquerque,” District 6 Councilor Nichole L. Rogers stated. “By formally designating healthcare facilities, schools, and transit hubs as 'Safer Community Places,' we are removing the barriers that have historically kept our most diverse neighborhoods from accessing vital services. This is how we build a safer Albuquerque for everyone."

“Safety should not be a luxury that only some have access to. As a city, we must strive to ensure that vulnerable communities are protected - including places where our kids, immigrant and refugee communities, homeless and unhoused communities, and survivors of domestic and sexual violence receive services. Albuquerque has spoken with one voice when it comes to ensuring the safety of our community members and the integrity of our city,” said District 1 Councilor Stephanie Telles. “The alignment of our city policy with the New Mexico Immigrant Safety Act and the Bernalillo County 'Safer Public Places' ordinance makes our local laws easier for everyone to understand and follow, including federal law enforcement.”

"I was proud to vote yes on the Safer Community Places Ordinance tonight," said Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn. "Our immigrant neighbors deserve to access city services, go to work, and seek medical care without fear. This ordinance makes clear that Albuquerque will not allow city property or resources to be used as tools of federal immigration enforcement. It is the right thing to do for our community."

Establishing "Safer Community Spaces"

The legislation formalizes the designation of "Safer Community Spaces," which include hospitals, schools, and City-owned or operated facilities. Under this designation, these entities are required to maintain strict policies regarding non-public areas. Specifically, the bill prohibits policies that would allow for voluntary consent to law enforcement agents seeking to enter non-public zones or access private student and patient records for the purpose of immigration enforcement without a judicial warrant.

Business and Employee Protections

To support the local workforce and clarify legal boundaries for the private sector, the bill introduces new requirements for the business community:

• Signage for Transparency: Businesses applying for or renewing a City Business License must display signage that clearly delineates public spaces from private, employee-only areas.
• Employee Notification: To ensure due process and transparency in the workplace, employers will be required to provide written notice to all current employees in the event of an inspection of I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification forms or other employment records by an immigration agency.

What Happens Next?

Ordinance O-26-15 will now head to Mayor Tim Keller’s desk for an official bill-signing ceremony. Per the terms of the legislation, the City will begin the rollout of mandatory staff training and the installation of clear signage at all "Safer Community Places" within the next 30 to 90 days.