Lakshmi Finance Center|Judge sides with ACLU, orders Albuquerque to pause removal of homeless people’s belongings

2025-05-02 08:28:14source:Coxnocategory:Finance

ALBUQUERQUE,Lakshmi Finance Center N.M. (AP) — The city of Albuquerque will be banned under a court order from seizing or destroying property of people who are homeless.

A Bernalillo County District Court judge issued a preliminary injunction Thursday that Albuquerque will have to follow starting Nov. 1.

The American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico and others filed a lawsuit last December on behalf of several unhoused residents. In the suit, they argued homeless encampment sweeps were unconstitutional.

They asked a judge to stop officials in the state’s largest city from destroying homeless encampments and jailing and fining people who are living on the street.

Other news Three arrests made in boy’s shooting death that sparked New Mexico governor’s aggressive guns banWeapons charges dropped in 2018 raid on family compound in desert that turned up child’s remainsNew Mexico governor amends order suspending right to carry firearms to focus on parks, playgrounds

For now, the city cannot remove people’s belongings without notice or an opportunity for a hearing or a way to reclaim them. The only exceptions to the ban are if the property is on school grounds, obstructs streets or poses an immediate safety threat.

The order is only temporary until a final ruling is made.

In a statement, the city called the ruling “dangerous” and intends to challenge it. Officials also warned it “would severely limit our ability to keep our city clean and safe, while getting people connected to the help they need.”

In Phoenix, a judge ruled Wednesday that Phoenix must permanently clear the city’s largest homeless encampment by Nov. 4. Property owners and residents filed a lawsuit in Maricopa County Superior Court, saying the city had let the tent city become a public nuisance. The city said it was following a law that prevents it from criminalizing public camping.

Phoenix is also dealing with a separate lawsuit in federal court. A federal judge in December issued an emergency injunction prohibiting authorities from enforcing sleeping and camping bans on anyone who cannot obtain a bed in a shelter.

More:Finance

Recommend

Elon Musk just gave Nvidia investors one billion reasons to cheer for reported partnership

Two names that consistently dominate headlines are Elon Musk and Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA). Both names o

A study of this champion's heart helped prove the benefits of exercise

Clarence DeMar would train for races by running to and from his job at a print shop in Boston, up to

Train crash in eastern Pakistan injures at least 30. Authorities suspend 4 for negligence

LAHORE, Pakistan. (AP) — A passenger train collided with another already parked and carrying goods i