The University of New Mexico announced on Apr. 13 the creation of an Immigration Working Group aimed at supporting students, faculty, and staff while enhancing the university’s role as a resource for communities across New Mexico.
The initiative is designed to address ongoing changes in federal immigration procedures and ensure that clear guidance and resources are available. As a Minority-Serving Institution, the University of New Mexico (UNM) plays a significant role in providing access to higher education and workforce training for low-income and first-generation students.
The Immigration Working Group (IWG) will be overseen by Vice President and Sociology Professor Assata Zerai within the Division for Change and Empowerment. The group brings together leaders from various sectors across campus, including legal experts, health sciences representatives, student services personnel, academic units, and branch campuses. Linda Melville, manager of International Education in the Global Education Office, will serve as co-chair.
“The Immigration Working Group is a logical next step from the Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) of 2025,” said Zerai. “The Immigration RRT completed excellent work including delivering Know Your Rights Sessions and setting up the UNM immigration website.” She added that recommendations would continue “to ensure…that we are prepared to provide accurate information, meaningful support, and a coordinated response when it is needed most.”
UNM President Garnett S. Stokes has tasked the IWG with developing recommendations focused on establishing a coordinated structure for addressing federal immigration policy changes; ensuring clear communication throughout UNM; expanding accessible resources such as academic support for students; guidance related to promotion and tenure for faculty; mental health support; public-facing resources outlining rights; annual training initiatives; dedicated digital tools; and consistent communication with branch campuses statewide.
According to Zerai: “The Immigration Working Group is on a short timeline this semester, and we thus decided to break into four subcommittees (visa and work issues; mental health and wellbeing; campus relations with law enforcement; and communications and education). I am so pleased that the subcommittees have met and are prepared to deliver recommendations for long-term solutions to address immigration concerns at UNM.”
Supporting these efforts is an immigration website developed in 2025 intended to help guide those seeking information or responding to questions about federal executive actions related to immigration matters.
Beyond its new working group initiative, UNM serves more than 24,000 students across its main campus as well as branches according to its official website. The university also boasts over 200,000 alumni worldwide who include fellows of national academies as reported by UNM.
UNM’s broader impact includes serving as a cultural resource through libraries, museums, galleries, performance spaces while promoting diversity as stated on its official site. The institution’s athletics program competes in the Mountain West Conference with University Arena recognized among top college basketball venues according to university sources.
Additionally, UNM features Pueblo Revival architecture on its metropolitan-area campus—a nationally recognized arboretum featuring popular locations like its duck pond according to university information. It has been ranked among top public schools nationally by U.S. News & World Report—including notable placements such as 16th for primary care medical schools—and fifth most diverse medical school nationwide based on rankings cited by UNM.
University officials say this effort aligns with goals outlined under “UNM 2040″—the institution’s long-term vision—to foster access alongside supportive environments for all members of its community.
