Civil rights generally refers to the law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, or religion. Discrimination occurs when a person’s rights are denied or interfered with on the basis of their membership in such a particular group or class.

Civil rights are distinct from civil liberties, such as the right to vote, freedom of speech, and other rights in the Bill of Rights (first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution).

Civil rights law includes the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, Fifteenth, and Twenty-Fourth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution—and federal statutes such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the Civil Rights Act of 1968.

In New Mexico, civil rights are protected under both federal and state laws. Federal laws such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the Civil Rights Act of 1968 prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. These laws apply to various areas including employment, education, housing, and access to public accommodations. The Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery, the Fourteenth Amendment guarantees equal protection under the law, the Fifteenth Amendment prohibits racial discrimination in voting, and the Twenty-Fourth Amendment eliminates poll taxes. Additionally, New Mexico has its own Human Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination in matters of employment, housing, credit, and public accommodations, and it covers additional categories such as ancestry and serious medical conditions. The state also has laws that protect the right to vote and ensure access to public facilities. An attorney specializing in civil rights law can provide guidance on how these laws apply to specific situations within New Mexico.