Forty-eight individuals missing after ICE raid in New Mexico

Lawyers and advocates are expressing concern over the fate of 48 people missing after recent immigration raids in New Mexico. The raids occurred in early March in Santa Fe, Roswell, and Albuquerque. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New Mexico filed a complaint, highlighting that families are not coming forward to look for their missing loved ones, which is unusual. Rebecca Sheff, a senior attorney at the ACLU, noted that community advocates are distressed because they cannot locate the individuals who were arrested. She explained that these people seem to have "disappeared," and there is little information about their identities or the conditions of their detention. ICE, the agency conducting the raids, arrested them based on deportation orders or serious criminal charges. On March 12, ICE announced the arrests, claiming many had prior convictions for serious crimes, including homicide and sexual offenses. However, there have been no updates on the 48 individuals, and it is unclear if they have been deported or released. The ACLU member pointed out that ICE has a locator system for detainees, but it requires names and other identifying data, which they currently lack. Community organizations typically receive inquiries from families about their missing relatives, but this time, no such calls have come through. Sheff speculated that fears related to deportation may prevent families from reaching out. The situation is alarming, especially with ongoing deportations tied to controversial policies from the Trump administration. Sheff likened the current circumstances to those found in repressive regimes where people are held without contact with their families.