ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — An advocacy group and three immigrants are suing a northwestern New Mexico county over jail detentions from immigration holds.
The lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court on Wednesday claims all three were stopped for minor traffic violations and held unlawfully by the San Juan County Sheriff's Office while federal officials checked their immigration status.
The Santa Fe-based Somos un Pueblo Unido filed the lawsuit on behalf of the immigrants who live in Farmington.
Until recently, it was common for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials to ask counties to hold individuals brought in for traffic violations if the individuals were suspected of not having proper immigration documents.
All three were later released.
San Juan County Sheriff Ken Christesen says his office will continue to do its job.
The lawsuit seeks an unspecified amount in damages.