CSVANW Celebrates Historic Victory with the Signing of SB41, Establishing the Turquoise Alert System

Santa Fe, N.M.— Today, in a monumental step forward for Native communities in New Mexico, Governor Michelle Luján Grisham signed Senate Bill 41 into law, officially creating the Turquoise Alert System. This new system will be a critical tool in improving the response time for missing Indigenous persons, particularly Native women, and will empower law enforcement agencies to act swiftly in cases involving violence and abductions.

The Turquoise Alert System will help quickly spread critical information about missing Indigenous persons to the public, significantly improving the chances of recovery and ensuring that these cases receive the urgent attention they deserve.

Tiffany Jiron, Executive Director of the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women (CSVANW), released the following statement in response to this historic development:

“Today, we celebrate a victory for Native communities across New Mexico and beyond. The signing of SB41 is not just a policy achievement, it’s a victory for every Native mother, daughter, sister, and aunt who has ever been impacted by the violence that continues to ravage our communities. We are incredibly grateful to Gov. Michelle Luján Grisham, Sen. Angel Charley, Sen. Cindy Nava, Rep. Michelle Paulene Abeyta, and Rep. Charlotte Little who have brought this important bill to fruition from the 2025 legislative session. The Turquoise Alert System is a powerful tool that will help law enforcement act quickly when a Native person goes missing, providing the necessary resources to respond with urgency and care.

“This bill reflects our deep commitment to ensuring that no Indigenous person is left behind when they go missing. For far too long, Native women and girls have been overlooked, their cases ignored or delayed. The Turquoise Alert System is an essential step toward rectifying that injustice and ensuring that our people receive the protection they deserve. We have witnessed firsthand the devastation of delayed responses in cases involving missing and murdered Indigenous women and relatives (MMIWR), and this law gives us the tools to ensure that no more families experience this unnecessary heartache.

“Today’s victory is a testament to the power of advocacy, resilience, and the unwavering determination of Native communities to stand up for their rights and their loved ones. The passing of SB41 is just one step in a much larger effort to address the MMIWR crisis, and we remain committed to pushing forward until every Native person, especially women and children, is safe from violence.

“We look forward to working alongside our law enforcement partners and all relevant stakeholders to implement this system swiftly and efficiently, ensuring that it works for the families who need it most.”

The Turquoise Alert System will be a key part of New Mexico’s response to the MMIWR crisis, helping law enforcement agencies coordinate across state, federal, and tribal jurisdictions to ensure that missing Indigenous people receive the immediate attention they deserve. This new system is a victory for families who have long fought for better protections and a more urgent response when their loved ones are at risk.