ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Opinions are flying over a new executive order signed by President Trump that bans transgender athletes from competing in women’s and girl’s sports. 

Organizations like the NCAA are saying they will comply with the new order. The Trump administration has a warning for those who don’t – they will lose Title IX federal funding. 

“We will defend the proud tradition of female athletes, and we will not allow men to beat up, injure and cheat our women and our girls,” said Trump. 

There are a lot of questions on what this will mean for New Mexico athletics. While those in support are celebrating the move, others say this unfairly targets an already vulnerable community. 

“I think the enforcement question here is going to be a big one,” said Maryam Ahranjani, a UNM Constitutional Law professor. 

Ahranjani says this will likely be challenged in the courts and not easily enforced. 

“This law has been around for 53 years, not once has a district had funding removed for violation of Title IX,” said Ahranjani. 

The executive order is being celebrated by some.

“This is a huge win for women and girls,” said Ash Soular with the Republican Party of New Mexico. 

Soular says this is simply about upholding women’s protections. 

“Allowing men to compete against women in sports, claim their titles and scholarships, and even put their lives in danger, defeats the whole purpose of women rights established in Title IX,” said Soular. 

While LGBTQ advocates like Marshall Martinez, executive director of Equality New Mexico, say this is about targeting trans people, not helping women. 

“They never come with increased funding for female athletes. They never come with a requirement for colleges to give more scholarships for girls and women to play sports,” said Martinez. 

His message for the trans community:

“They are not alone, we are fighting for them every single day,” Martinez said. 

We also checked in with the New Mexico Activities Association, which oversees high school and middle school sports. In a statement, they said:

“NMAA bylaws state a student must compete in the gender listed on their original or amended birth certificate.”

In New Mexico, anyone over the age of 18 can request to change the gender on the New Mexico birth certificate. A minor can also do so with permission from their parents or guardians.