Trump signs a bill to detain immigrants without due process with the full support of Nevada’s representatives.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 29, 2025
CONTACT: Hector Fong, [email protected], (702)505-6748

LAS VEGAS, NV––  President Donald Trump has signed the Laken Riley Act into law, making it the first bill to be signed into law in his second term. The law now requires the mandatory immigration arrest and detention – without access to bail – of any undocumented person merely accused of burglary, theft, larceny, shoplifting-related offenses, as well as more serious offenses. The Nevada Immigrant Coalition and advocates across the country have sounded the alarm on this law because it circumvents basic due process, even for children. Despite calls from advocates, Nevada’s entire congressional voted for the bill. The law does nothing to address the issues with the country’s immigration system or gender-based violence, it only further creates distrust between law enforcement and immigrant communities.

In response to the Senate vote, the Nevada Immigrant Coalition released the following statement: 

“The bipartisan support for family separation before any convictions or due process is concerning for a country that was founded with those principles in mind”, said Laura Martin, Executive Director of The Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada. “We need better representation from our elected officials, who represent every Nevadan regardless of citizenship status. Putting so-called bipartisanship above the Constitution will have much broader negative impacts than what moderates seem to be hoping for. ”

“The Laken Riley Act fails to offer substantive policy solutions that would have any positive measurable effect on public safety. Instead, it guarantees chaos in the courts and denial of due process.”, said Dee Sull, Elected Director of AILA.

“As a DACA recipient, I am deeply disappointed that our leaders, including those in Nevada, chose to support a law that tears families apart and undermines basic rights. The Laken Riley Act does nothing to improve public safety. Instead, it creates fear and distrust in our communities, punishing people without due process and disproportionately impacting immigrant families who contribute to this country every day as workers, parents, and neighbors. Said Erika Marquez, Immigrant Justice Organizer with Make The Road Nevada. Rather than pursuing real solutions to fix our immigration system and address public safety concerns, this law makes it harder for immigrant communities to feel protected. Nevada’s congressional delegation had an opportunity to stand for fairness and justice, but they failed us. Our communities deserve better, and we will continue to fight for our rights.”

“The Laken Riley Act erodes due process in unprecedented ways, even in immigration law.  We hope for swift legal action in the courts,” said Michael Kagan of the UNLV Immigration Clinic. 

SPOKESPEOPLE ARE AVAILABLE FOR COMMENT IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH.

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About Nevada Immigrant Coalition: The Nevada Immigrant Coalition (NIC), founded in 2006, ensures immigrant, refugee, and new American voices are heard at a local, state, and federal level to advocate for humane and fair immigration policies. The coalition focuses on strengthening a network that provides services, resources, and deportation defense to immigrants and refugees across the state while strategically organizing around issues that are important to all Nevadans. We believe in working towards a Nevada that welcomes, respects, and protects everyone regardless of their immigration status.