ALBUQUERQUE - The Republican Party of New Mexico (RPNM) strongly condemns the Democratic Party of New Mexico’s (DPNM) recent statement demanding the release of Mahmoud Khalil, a foreign student detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on March 9, 2025, for alleged ties to Hamas and advocacy of violence against Jewish students.

“At a time when New Mexicans face soaring crime rates, persistent poverty, and failing schools, the DPNM’s decision to rally behind a Hamas sympathizer reveals a shocking lack of priorities and a betrayal of our state’s citizens,” said Amy Barela, the Chairwoman of the Republican Party of New Mexico.

“New Mexico is struggling with real challenges, but while families demand real solutions, the DPNM shamelessly rushes to prop up Khalil-a man accused by the DHS of leading activities aligned with Hamas, a designated terrorist organization.”

New Mexicans deserve to know the truth about who the DPNM is championing:

• Ties to Hamas: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claims that Khalil “led activities aligned to Hamas.”
• Pro-Hamas Propaganda: White House officials report Khalil organized protests distributing materials bearing Hamas’s logo, promoting terrorist propaganda.
• Targeting Jewish Students: Khalil orchestrated protests at Columbia University that terrorized Jewish students, carving out “Zionist-free” zones while rallying cries to “globalize the intifada”-a call to unleash violence worldwide.
• Glorifying Violence: As a Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD) leader, Khalil is linked to statements praising terrorism as “heroic” and advocating violence as “the only path forward.” CUAD’s own writings glorify Hamas’s October 7, 2023, terrorist attack and call for violence against supporters of Israel-rhetoric that endangers Jewish Americans.

“These are not the actions of a ‘human rights’ martyr, as the DPNM claims, but of a national security risk-one the Trump administration rightfully detained,” Barela continued.

“The Republican Party of New Mexico urges New Mexicans to reject the DPNM’s extreme agenda and demand leaders who uphold the law, keep us safe, and tackle our real problems- not protect accused terrorists,” Barela concluded. “We must hold our leaders accountable and vote for representatives who prioritize our safety. New Mexicans deserve better.”