The Impacts of the Collaboration between Local Law Enforcement Agencies and Immigration Customs Enforcement on the Health and Well-being of Immigrant Workers and their Children
Familias Unidas por Justicia, a membership team of Somos Un Pueblo Unido made up of 50 immigrant families in Farmington, New Mexico, is currently engaged in a five-year campaign to mitigate the adverse effects of several policies and practices that engage local law enforcement, jail and court officials, and probation officers with Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) agents in the execution of federal immigration laws. San Juan is one of the few non-border counties to have such a close working relationship with ICE, whose constant presence greatly affects the daily educational, financial, and health decisions of immigrants and their families. While many local jurisdictions have proactively enacted a range of “sanctuary” policies restricting cooperation with ICE in enforcing federal civil immigration laws, the sheriff’s office, the jail, and the municipal and magistrate courts in San Juan County have welcomed ICE, collaborate with its resident federal agent, and in some cases, divert local funds and other resources to support its efforts. Familias is partnering with Sexual Assault Services and Engaging Latinos for Communities for Education (ENLACE) to explore how ending or restricting the collaboration between local law enforcement agencies and ICE would impact the health and well-being of immigrant workers and their children in New Mexico. The conditions (health determinants) being assessed include: 1) short and long-term economic security; 2) safety of families and children (including public safety); and 3) access to health and other essential services by immigrants families
