New Mexico launches Turquoise Alert for missing Native people, but eligibility rules unclear

New Mexico’s Turquoise Alert system for missing Native people went into effect July 1, but how police determine who qualifies remains uncertain, according to New Mexico In Depth. The law allows alerts for individuals enrolled or eligible for enrollment in a federally or state-recognized tribe. But a spokesperson for the New Mexico State Police said each law enforcement agency will decide how to verify eligibility, raising concerns about delays.

Advocates, including Urban Indian Health Institute Director Abigail Echo-Hawk, said verification delays could slow alerts, particularly for those from out-of-state tribes. State Rep. Michelle Paulene Abeyta, a bill co-sponsor, said she is open to changes if the process becomes a barrier. The state police will post alerts online and on Facebook until phone notifications become available.