UNM Student Senate Passed Anti-ICE Resolution

The student governing body voted to restrict university cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Immigration

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of an institutional facade in navy and cream, evoking the gravity of university policy debates. — The University of New Mexico Student Senate passed a resolution on September 23 to limit institutional cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should local institutions refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement to protect undocumented community members?

The ASUNM Student Senate passed Resolution 1F on September 23, mandating that the University of New Mexico halt cooperation with federal immigration authorities. The move follows reports of three prior student removals by ICE from the campus.

Why it matters

The Senate passed the measure to protect the estimated 300 undocumented students and foreign scholarship recipients at UNM from federal enforcement actions. It highlights growing tensions regarding institutional roles in immigration policy.

The ASUNM Student Senate approved the resolution with a 16-2 vote. The university currently serves at least 300 undocumented students.

The players

ASUNM Student Senate

This is the official representative governing body for the student population at the University of New Mexico.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement

This is a federal law enforcement agency under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security responsible for enforcing immigration laws.

Department of Justice

This is the executive branch department of the U.S. government responsible for the enforcement of federal law and the administration of justice.

The details

The resolution requires the university to cease engaging or cooperating with federal immigration enforcement to shield students on campus. This follows a broader backdrop of legal pressure in New Mexico, including a 2026 Department of Justice lawsuit against the state.

The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against New Mexico on May 8, 2026.
The ASUNM Student Senate passed Resolution 1F on September 23, 2026.

Political Context

The resolution follows the precedent set by the ongoing legal friction evidenced in the 2026 Department of Justice lawsuit against New Mexico. This student action marks a further escalation in local institutional resistance against federal immigration enforcement mandates.

The resolution establishes a formal policy stance for the university that could affect how campus security and administrative staff interact with federal agents. Residents and students should monitor whether the university administration formally adopts these restrictions.

The takeaway

Student groups at the University of New Mexico are utilizing administrative resolutions to create a sanctuary-style policy for undocumented students. This development underscores the ongoing legislative and social friction between local institutions and federal immigration authorities.