Font ResizeSANTA FE - Every victim of domestic violence must call 911 for help, even if she is in the country illegally, Gov. Susana Martinez said Thursday.
A dozen Democratic legislators last week criticized Martinez for her executive order mandating that state police question suspects about their immigration status. They said this could discourage women from seeking help in abuse cases.
Martinez never mentioned her order or her critics during a 10-minute speech before the New Mexico Coalition Against Domestic Violence. She emphasized that she wanted victims to seek immediate help, and said they have no fear of retribution from police or other parts of the government.
"We want everyone to pick up that phone," Martinez said.
State Rep. Moe Maestas, who prosecuted domestic violence cases for five years, was among the legislators who said the executive order could dissuade victims from seeking help.
Maestas, D-Albuquerque, also spoke to the coalition Thursday. He did not revive his criticism of Martinez as she sat nearby.
But Maestas previously denounced Martinez's executive order. In domestic violence cases, Maestas said, both people can be suspects as police sort out what happened. This means Martinez's order to question suspects about citizenship could cause a victim to risk her safety instead of calling for help, he said.
Martinez, in her speech and in another part of her executive order, said victims and witnesses to crimes would get help from government. Her order
Santa Fe Bureau Chief Milan Simonich can be reached at msimonich @tnmnp.com or (505) 820-6898. His blog is at http://elpasotimes.typepad. com/newmexico.
