ALBUQUERQUE, APRIL 23, 2025—The Republican Party of New Mexico today issued a call for sweeping judicial accountability and urgent public safety reforms following the resignation of Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Joel Cano. His departure comes after the arrest of Cristhian Ortega-Lopez—an illegal immigrant with alleged ties to the violent Tren de Aragua gang—at a Las Cruces residence owned by Cano and his wife. Ortega-Lopez faces federal firearm charges after authorities recovered multiple weapons linked to him, with social media evidence showing him posing with firearms belonging to the Cano family.
New Mexico ranks as the most dangerous state in the nation, plagued by violent crime far above the national average. This alarming situation exposes a double standard in our judicial system—where some in power feel entitled to write the rules, not follow them. Ortega-Lopez, released into the country on so-called “humanitarian parole” due to overcrowding, was later found armed and spending time under the roof of a sitting judge. This raises deeply troubling questions about who is truly being protected—our families, or the criminals?
“The people of New Mexico are tired of a system where the powerful don’t play by their own rules,” said Amy Barela, Chairwoman of the Republican Party of New Mexico. “We demand real accountability for Judge Cano’s connection to a gang-affiliated criminal and full transparency on how our judiciary is being held to the same laws as the rest of us. Enough is enough.”
The Republican Party of New Mexico is calling for stronger cooperation between state and federal agencies to dismantle violent gangs, enforce immigration laws, and deport criminal aliens who endanger our communities. Republicans stand with the victims of crime—not with the enablers of chaos—and support real consequences for those who break the law, no matter who they are.
As we head toward the November and 2026 elections, New Mexicans have a choice: continue down the path of two sets of rules, or demand leaders who believe everyone—judges included—must follow the same laws. It’s time for change.
