New Mexico governor activates National Guard, declares emergency over crime

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham declared a state of emergency to address rising crime and the opioid crisis straining local law enforcement. Starting mid-May, 60 to 70 National Guard troops will assist Albuquerque police with non-law enforcement duties.

The governor says the deployment aims to support officers while they focus on community safety.

The ACLU of New Mexico warns the move could lead to increased profiling and the criminalization of vulnerable populations.