NEW AMERICANS DIVISION IN WSD
Mar 9, 2026 · Enacted · Chapter 61
Cristina Parajón · Sponsored
FactVote reviewed summary
HB 124 creates a New Americans Division in the Workforce Solutions Department. The act defines new Americans as U.S. residents who are not citizens or were not citizens at birth; it does not impose a recent-arrival requirement. The reviewed section directs workforce and educational initiatives, identification of professional-licensing pathways, support for employers and economic sectors, and an information center that includes assistance to eligible lawful permanent residents seeking naturalization. The division’s report is due August 1, 2027, then July 1 each year, covering the preceding twelve months. These duties do not themselves grant citizenship, employment or a professional license.
Signed by Governor on 2026-03-09, Chapter 61 of the 2026 Regular Session. Enactment, effective dates, implementation and present enforceability are distinct.
Why this record is included
Foreign-born residents include naturalized citizens and both lawfully and unlawfully present noncitizens. The reviewed immigration provisions address subsets of this population and do not change birthplace or determine any particular resident’s status. This connection does not establish causation. Actions after the measurement period cannot explain the earlier observed value.
Retained New Mexico evidence context: Residents who are foreign-born. This record’s connection to the topic does not establish an effect on the measured result.
SECTION 1. Section 9-26-3 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2007, Chapter 200, Section 3) is amended to read: "9-26-3. DEFINITIONS.--As used in the Workforce Solutions Department Act: A. "department" means the workforce solutions department; B. "new Americans" means people residing in the United States who are not citizens of the United States or who were not citizens of the United States at birth; and C. "secretary" means the secretary of workforce solutions." SECTION 2. Section 9-26-4 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2007, Chapter 200, Section 4) is amended to read: "9-26-4. WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS DEPARTMENT CREATED.--The "workforce solutions department" is created in the executive branch pursuant to the Executive Reorganization Act. The department is a cabinet department that includes: A. the office of the secretary; B. the administrative services division; C. the unemployment insurance division; D. the labor relations division; E. the workforce technology division; F. the workforce transition services division; and G. the new Americans division." SECTION 3. A new section of the Workforce Solutions Department Act is enacted to read: "NEW AMERICANS DIVISION--PURPOSE--DUTIES.-- A. The purpose of the new Americans division of the department is to support new Americans residing in New Mexico in achieving their maximum economic potential in New Mexico's workforce and as entrepreneurs. In furtherance of this purpose, the division shall: (1) support and expand educational, workforce training and other initiatives that improve the integration of new Americans into the state's economy; (2) identify strategies for improving licensure pathways for new Americans who have been professionally trained or licensed in another country; (3) assist businesses that employ new Americans by identifying, attracting and retaining top global talent required to remain competitive in a global economy; (4) identify and support pathways for new Americans to advance priority sectors identified in the state's workforce development and economic development plans; and (5) serve as an information center by providing resources and engagement opportunities to businesses, community-based organizations, workers, community members, state agencies and local governments on policies and legislation affecting new Americans, including supporting eligible lawful permanent residents in becoming naturalized United States citizens. B. The new Americans division shall, as deemed necessary and appropriate by the department, work with other divisions within the department, the economic development department, the higher education department, the public education department, the department of health, the health care authority, the homeland security and emergency management department, the department of public safety or the regulation and licensing department to fulfill the duties of the new Americans division. C. By August 1, 2027, and by July 1 of each year thereafter, the new Americans division shall provide a report to an interim committee that studies economic and rural development and policy, the secretary, the governor and members of the legislature on the activities of the division in the preceding twelve months, including an analysis of the economic impact, status, population and workforce numbers of new Americans in the state."Review official supporting evidence ↗