One of the hurdles for statehood for New Mexico was its relatively small population compared to other states. The sparsely populated territory lacked the required number of residents to qualify for statehood according to the guidelines set by Congress. Additionally, there were concerns about the high percentage of Spanish-speaking residents in New Mexico, which raised questions about the loyalty and ability of the population to govern themselves as a state. There were also debates about the economic viability of New Mexico as a state, with concerns about its reliance on federal funding and lack of a diverse economy. Another hurdle was the political dynamics at the time, including disagreements among various political factions and parties regarding the incorporation of New Mexico as a state.
