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Hundreds of immigrant workers, families, and allies will take to the streets of Santa Fe for Immigrant & Worker Day of Action, a high-energy march and rally organized by Somos Acción and partner organizations to spotlight the essential role immigrant workers play in New Mexico’s economy and communities. These partner organizations have formulated an immigrant protection and opportunity platform that they are all supporting, including the Immigrant Safety Act, the Office for New Americans, and workforce development. See the full platform here.
The day of action will bring together workers, advocates, and community leaders from across the state to honor immigrants’ contributions, from agriculture and construction to caregiving and energy industries, while calling on policymakers to strengthen workplace protections, safety standards, and community protection, dignity, and opportunities for immigrant and working families. The mobilization comes amid ongoing debates over labor rights, immigration enforcement, and economic security in New Mexico.
The event will feature strong visuals, community-led chants, and firsthand stories from directly impacted workers, advocates, and local leaders, underscoring both the resilience of immigrant communities and the urgency of policy action.
“The action is both a celebration of resilience and a clear demand for policies that ensure dignity, safety, and opportunities for immigrant and working families across our state,” said Marcela Díaz, Director of Somos Acción.
Following the march and rally, participants will head to the Roundhouse for lobby visits with legislators to advocate for key pro-immigrant and pro-worker legislative priorities during the current session.
What: Immigrant and Workers’ Day of Action
Who: Somos Acción, immigrant workers, families, community-based organizations and community leaders including mayor Michael J Garcia.
When: Monday, January 26th
Breakfast and training begins at 8:00 am
March begins 10:30 am
Rally begins at 11:00 am
Where: Breakfast and training will take place at the Farmers Market Pavilion. March begins at the Railyard Park. The rally takes place on the west side of the Roundhouse.
Visuals: Training with many organizations and community members present. March through downtown Santa Fe with banners and signs.
Media Opportunities: Interviews with organizers, workers, and community leaders. Strong visuals, and soundbites.
Event Sponsors Include:
Somos Acción
ACLU New Mexico
New Mexico Immigrant Law Center
EL CENTRO Poder y Acción
CAFé
Contigo Immigrant Justice
The Semilla Project
Semilla Action
Background:
Immigrant workers and families are essential to New Mexico’s communities and economy. Immigrants make up 11% of the state’s workforce, contributing across key industries and supporting local economies in every region of the state. Yet despite our deep roots and contributions, immigrant communities continue to face disproportionate harm from detention, surveillance, and barriers to legal services and workforce opportunities.
The expansion of immigrant detention contracts between state systems and federal immigration enforcement, and the growing use of surveillance tools such as license plate readers have increased fear and instability for immigrant families. These practices undermine public safety, erode trust in public institutions, and place working families at risk simply for driving to work, paying taxes, or taking their children to school.
This year’s Immigrant & Worker Day of Action calls on state leaders to take bold action to defend families by ending immigrant detention expansion, safeguarding driver and personal data, expanding access to legal services, and investing in workforce development programs that allow immigrant workers to fully and safely participate in New Mexico’s future.
