New Mexico Legal Aid (NMLA)

Advocates at New Mexico Legal Aid provide comprehensive services for victims of violence, helping them obtain protection, custody, and child support. These women (almost all victims of dv are women) and their children, benefit immensely from the services they receive. Protection helps stabilize lives and allows the healing process to begin. We also offer these services to lgbtq individuals, a group that had traditionally lived under the threat of abuse and discrimination throughout their lives, and who need the protections that lawyers can help them obtain through the Legal system. Without a lawyer, the court system can be very difficult and daunting. Sexual assault victims with mental health/privacy issues, and students who are victims of assault and bullying by fellow classmates receive assistance and protections with the assistance of New Mexico Legal Aid that have long eluded them. Advocacy for low income taxpayers through the nmla's low income tax clinic has increased access to child tax credits, earned income tax credits and other tax credits, and overcome tax audits that resulted in recovery of substantial refunds for families. The native american program continued to provide services to the indian communities and clients during the pandemic in spite of lockdowns by using technology and working with front line community sources. In 2022, New Mexico Legal Aid handled 5,841 cases, helping a total of 8,925 low income New Mexico families, including 5,980 children.