Representatives from two New Mexico counties that house federal immigration detention facilities warned state lawmakers Tuesday of what they said were the economic consequences of banning them.

A legislative committee's second day of discussion on prohibiting state and local governments from contracting with a federal agency to detain people for civil immigration violations grew testy at times — foreshadowing what could be a contentious debate if such a measure is placed on the agenda of a special session Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is expected to call in the coming weeks.

Officials in Torrance and Otero counties spoke of the potential for hundreds of job losses and impacts on bond ratings in their communities as well as those in Cibola County, which also houses a facility where U.S. Imm

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