Human Rights and Civic Participation
Featured Content
Imagine not being counted
The recent decision to include a question on citizenship status in the 2020 decennial Census is certain to increase the number of people who won’t respond to the census. And that’s exactly the political motivation behind the decision to include a question that hasn’t been asked since 1950. This change will be particularly bad for New Mexico. (Blog post)
Citizen’s Guide to Legislative Advocacy in New Mexico
Learn the ins and outs of working with your legislators to promote an important policy or cause. (A Fiscal Policy Project publication; Updated March 2018)
NM KIDS are COUNTing on Us
For the third straight year, New Mexico ranks 49th in the nation for child well-being. It will take a comprehensive and focused set of strategies, and the political and public will to make them a reality, to improve child well-being in New Mexico. This policy agenda, based on the metrics used to measure child well-being in the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s annual KIDS COUNT Data Book, offers one such approach. (Policy agenda; updated June 2016)
Recent Publications
5 Things to Know About the 2019 Census Test
Fact sheet The 2020 Census has been in the news mostly because of the citizenship question (which, hopefully, has finally been resolved). There's been much less news coverage over the routine pre-census test, which has already started. The Census Bureau is sending out test forms and some of those forms include the citizenship question. Confused? Here are five things you need to know about the census test.
Making New Mexico Count in Census 2020
Policy brief An inaccurate 2020 Census could negatively impact New Mexico’s democratic representation, economy, and the health, education, and economic security of our kids and families. Young children are uniquely at risk of being under-counted. This policy brief looks at why and what can be done to ensure a full count.
Recent Blog Posts
Advancing Equity in New Mexico: Immigration
Given New Mexico’s substantial immigrant population and that group’s important contributions to our state – which includes paying taxes – it is essential that we enact policies that promote opportunity for all families. During the 2019 New Mexico legislative session, lawmakers passed several bills that will have broad benefits to immigrants, their families, and the state as a whole.
Advancing Equity in New Mexico: Criminal and Juvenile Justice
Communities of color have been disproportionately impacted by incarceration even though studies show they commit crimes at similar rates to whites. African Americans in New Mexico are more than six times likelier to be incarcerated as whites and Hispanics are about two times likelier. Women who are mothers are also disproportionately represented. The overall inequity in our justice system has dire consequences for the health and well-being of our families.
Recent News Coverage
Progress report: Albuquerque neighborhood among many tricky for 2020 census in NM
“The big challenges in those areas are connecting to the folks who we know are likely to be undercounted,” said Amber Wallin, deputy director of New Mexico Voices for Children. “So people who may be poor or housing-insecure can be a real challenge in those areas, especially in communities that are changing.”
Air Force facing lawsuit over Kirtland fuel cleanup
“Laws exist in the U.S. for people to take action when they feel that the government is failing to protect human health and resources,” says Douglas Meiklejohn, New Mexico Environmental Law Center Executive Director.
Resources
Vote! Your County Clerk’s office can tell you where to register and vote. The Secretary of State’s Office also has information on voter registration, voter rights, and elections in New Mexico. The League of Women Voters of Central NM also provides contact information for voter registration, political parties, and elected officials at the state and local levels.
Advocate for Issues You Care About Meet with, write or call your legislator or congress person about an issue that concerns you. They really do appreciate hearing from you. Not sure who represents you in Santa Fe and Washington? Find out here.
Know Your Rights Do you believe your constitutional rights have been violated? Contact the ACLU of New Mexico to see if you may have a legal case.