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Defend ABQ

Information on the funding threats we’re facing, the City's response, and how you can help.

 

Mayor Keller leading a march holding a banner that say OEI.Federal policies are threatening Albuquerque families—putting essential protections, jobs, and funding at risk. Trump’s cuts are hitting public safety, housing, small businesses, and vital services. Mayor Tim Keller and City leaders are fighting back to protect our families, jobs, and future.

No matter the challenge, we remain committed to defending our community.

This is our city. This is our fight. Together, let’s protect what matters most.

Federal policies under the Trump administration threaten critical programs and resources that support our community:

  • More than $200 million in federal grants including early childhood development programs, funding for officers to keep streets safe, and sexual assault testing kits.
  • Cuts to public safety for police, fire, and emergency response.
  • Housing and homeless support and essential housing programs including $25 million for 400 units at Uptown.
  • Infrastructure Grants for City projects are in jeopardy including housing, bike trails, pedestrian safety, and road safety and development.

The following will be updated as we gather real-time information.

Threats Facing the City How We're Fighting Back Critical Collaborations How You Can Help Defend ABQ News

Threats Facing the City of Albuquerque

The dashboard will be updated regularly as new information becomes available. It reflects the City’s ongoing efforts to track impacted programs, funding at risk, and mitigation actions such as pursuing alternative funding, legal responses, and coordination with state and county partners.

Notice From Trump Administration

At Risk

Executive Order(s)

Community Programs, Senior Volunteer

Feb. 13, 2025: “Executive Order Compliance - Response Required by February 19th” - AMERICORP

Feb. 14, 2025 - Letter From Trump Administration
  • Loss of hundreds of senior volunteers, with up to 95% attrition due to cuts to stipends, meals, and mileage reimbursement.
  • Reduced support for schools and community sites, impacting tutoring, mentoring, and daily services.
  • Elimination of staff positions, weakening coordination of volunteer programs.
  • Cutbacks to volunteer-driven services that assist seniors, youth, and families.

Childhood Education / Head Start Programs

March 14, 2025 - “Federal Funding Restrictions for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiatives”

Major reductions in early childhood education, limiting access to Head Start and increasing costs for working families.

Public Safety
Feb. 5, 2025 - “Sanctuary Jurisdiction Directives”
  • APD officer positions at risk, limiting response capacity.
  • Loss of victim advocates, outreach staff, and cold case resources.
  • Delays in sexual assault investigations and growing DNA and SAEK backlogs.
  • Halted drug trafficking and fugitive apprehension operations.
  • Crime Lab unable to process key evidence; outdated equipment impeding Investigations.
  • Reduced support for Fire and Albuquerque Community Safety (ACS) response, slowing crisis intervention, overdose calls, and behavioral health services.

Jan. 20, 2025 - EO14159 - "Protecting The American People Against “Invasion”" – The White House

Economic Development

 
  • Gutting of critical funding for technical assistance from the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) that support small businesses and entrepreneurs.
  • Critical program funding for Community Development Financial Institutions Fund that have played an essential role in economic growth and stability in New Mexico.

March 14, 2025 - EO14238 “Continuing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy” – The White House

Infrastructure & Transportation Projects
 
  • Delays or cancellations of pedestrian, bike, and road safety upgrades across key corridors, including the Rail Trail that improve walkability and connect neighborhoods.
  • Loss of funding for transit system expansion.
  • Reduced accessibility in public spaces, especially for seniors, people with disabilities, and transit-dependent residents.
  • Cancellation of electric buses and charging stations, stalling progress toward a more sustainable, low-emissions transit system.

 

 

What’s at Risk for Housing & Services

  • Vouchers
  • Shelters
  • Affordable Housing
  • $25 million Uptown Connect
    • 400 Units
    • Transit Facility
    • Mixed-Use Development

What’s at Risk for Families

  • 39% of New Mexico families are enrolled in Medicaid
  • 25% of New Mexico families are enrolled in SNAP
  • 44,000 New Mexicans are employed by the federal government

What’s at Risk for Public Safety

  • 50 Officers
  • Victim Liaisons
  • Sexual Assault Kits
  • Crime Lab Equipment
  • Funds for Investigations
  • Crime Fighting Tech
  • Drug Enforcement
  • Firearm Background Checks

What’s at Risk for Transportation

  • Road Improvement Projects
  • Bike Lanes and Trails
  • Pedestrian Safety
  • EV Charging Infrastructure
  • Transit Equity
  • Bus Routes
  • Rail Trail

What’s at Risk for Businesses

In 2021 - 2024, the New Mexico Minority Business Development Agency served:

  • 415 Minority Businesses
  • $230.2 million in gross revenue
  • Creating / retaining 7,427 jobs
  • $210 million in CDFI investments in New Mexico

City Response | How We're Fighting Back

Mayor Keller signing a document with people surrounding him.

How we are defending our values and taking action.

We are continuing our commitment to protecting our community through our City of Albuquerque Office of Equity and Inclusion, Office of Civil Rights, and Office of Financial Empowerment in addition to our diverse community liaisons, Basic Income Program, Justice 40, Climate Action Plan, Vision Zero, 100,000 Trees, language access, and Zero Fares.

We are expanding protections for our community with the City Reproductive Bill of Rights, Renters Bill of Rights, and Environmental Bill of Rights, creating pathways to public service for people with disabilities, requiring contractor’s compliance with the Human Rights Ordinance, and priority hiring for former federal employees.

Balancing the Budget & Supporting the People

  • Tightening the Belt
    • Cutting non-essential spending: travel, conferences, awards.
    • Selling unused tech, furniture, vehicles, and City properties.
    • Redirecting new revenues, like opioid settlement funds and marijuana tax, to fund social programs.
  • Job fairs and City hiring for displaced federal workers
  • Advocating for State relief funds for municipalities.
  • Supporting MBDA and CDFIs to empower minority- and small-owned businesses.

Advocating for What’s at Risk for Families

  • SNAP: Over 155,000 BernCo recipients and $41 million issued in 2021.
  • Medicaid & CHIP: Over 270,000 covered and $2.1 billion in funding at risk.
  • Federal jobs: 44,000 workers statewide.

Immigration & Public Safety

  • No city staff, including APD, will ask for immigration status.
  • Ensuring all residents can report crime and access essential services without fear.
  • Providing "Know Your Rights" resources and partnerships for immigrant communities.

Protecting Our Environment | Climate Action & Open Space Protections

  • On track for 100% solar energy for municipal operations.
  • 52 metric tons of CO₂ emissions reduced through energy upgrades.
  • Over 30,000 acres of protected open space, with 1,500 new acres acquired.
  • Introducing an Environmental Bill of Rights.

Protecting Human Rights & Social Justice

  • Defending reproductive rights and LGBTQ+ protections.
  • Strengthening the Human Rights Ordinance.
  • Introducing a Reproductive Bill of Rights.
  • Expanding living wages and job access for people with disabilities.

Critical Collaborations

New Mexico’s federal delegation is also pushing back, and state leaders are stepping up with new protections—like a Medicaid trust fund and bills of rights for renters, environmental protections, reproductive freedom, and the rights of immigrant communities.

  • NM Federal Delegation Pushing Back
  • Shoring Up State Protections and Funds
  • Medicaid and Behavioral Health Trust Funds
  • State Rental, Environmental, Reproductive, Immigrant Friendly Bills of Rights
  • Supporting a Special Session
  • Coordination with Bernalillo County
Seal of Bernalillo County. US Senate seal US House Seal

How You Can Help

Together, We Can Stand Strong

  • Contact your reps and councilors — demand action to protect Albuquerque.
  • Back state efforts like the Medicaid Trust Fund and Bills of Rights for renters, the environment, reproductive freedom, and immigrant communities.
  • Support a special session and coordination with Bernalillo County.
  • Stand with local orgs fighting for housing, labor, immigrant rights, and justice.
  • Volunteer, donate, amplify — every effort matters.

Contact the Office of Mayor Tim Keller

Defend ABQ News