Otero County Commissioners renew ICE detention center contract, Immigrant Safety Act to take effect in May

CHAPARRAL, New Mexico (KVIA) -- Otero County Commissioners held an emergency meeting last Friday to discuss the future of the ICE detention center located in Chaparral, New Mexico.

Otero County Commissioners renewed a contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to keep the Otero County detention center open, even though a new state law prohibiting such agreements is set to take effect in May.

New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed the Immigrant Safety Act in February, which prohibits state or local governments from renewing or agreeing to contracts to arrest people for federal immigration crimes or violations.

The office of New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham sent the following written statement to ABC-7:

"The Immigrant Safety Act takes effect on May 20, and the administration expects all local governments to comply with it. The Governor’s Office will continue to review the county’s actions and monitor any legal developments.  The Attorney General will be responsible for ensuring compliance with the Immigrant Safety Act."

A spokesperson for Governor Lujan Grisham's office also told ABC-7 that she was not available for an interview today due to scheduling conflicts.

Otero County Attorney R.B. Nichols provided ABC-7 with the following news release:

County Attorney Nichols also told ABC-7, Otero County will not be providing further comment or interviews at this time.

ABC-7 has reached out to the Department of Homeland Security, ICE, the offices of U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján and Martin Heinrich, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez and Otero County District 1 Commissioner Gerald Matherly for comment.

Watch the full story tonight on ABC-7 at 6 p.m.