NEW AMERICANS DIVISION IN WSD, the official text

HOUSE BILL 124

57th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2026

INTRODUCED BY

Cristina Parajón and Cindy Nava and Reena Szczepanski

and Raymundo Lara and Yanira Gurrola

AN ACT

RELATING TO WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS; CREATING THE NEW AMERICANS
DIVISION IN THE WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS DEPARTMENT; PROVIDING
DIVISION DUTIES; REQUIRING REPORTS; REQUIRING A STUDY AND
REPORT ON THE WORK, ECONOMIC IMPACT AND STRUCTURE OF REFUGEE
RESETTLEMENT IN NEW MEXICO.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

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

[B.] 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 [business services] unemployment insurance
division;

D. the labor relations division;

E. the workforce technology division; [and]

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 MATERIAL] 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."

SECTION 4. TEMPORARY PROVISION--STATE REFUGEE
RESETTLEMENT PROGRAM--STUDY--REPORT.--

A. The new Americans division of the workforce
solutions department shall study, evaluate and prepare a report
on the work, economic impact and structure of refugee
resettlement in New Mexico. As deemed necessary and
appropriate, the division director shall consult with
stakeholders, including representatives of the health care
authority, the economic development department and community-based organizations.

B. The division shall report its findings to the
interim committee that studies economic and rural development
and policy by December 1, 2026.

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