In September 2007, Otero County Sheriff’s deputies conducted operations targeting Latino residents, allegedly raiding homes without search warrants and detaining individuals without probable cause. Five Latino families filed a civil rights lawsuit against the Sheriff’s Department, alleging violations of the Fourth Amendment, due process, and equal protection rights. In April 2008, the parties reached a settlement in which the Sheriff’s Department agreed to pay $100,000 and implement changes to its operational procedures, including not inquiring about immigration status in minor cases and accepting consulate-issued identification cards as valid ID.
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