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Friday, May 30, 2025

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The Nevada Immigrant Coalition calls on elected officials to protect immigrant workers, despite DHS falsely labeling Las Vegas City as a sanctuary city

Las Vegas [City], NV – Yesterday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a list of so-called “sanctuary” jurisdictions that incorrectly included “Las Vegas City,” as the federal government seemingly attempts to bully state and local governments into enacting more family separations and disappearances of immigrant workers.

The Nevada Immigrant Coalition urges elected officials in Nevada to stand with their constituents who are our friends, family, and co-workers, and against the Trump Administration’s anti-immigrant and mass deportation agenda, which is causing instability in our state’s economy and communities. 

The Nevada Immigrant Coalition issued the following statement:

“The Nevada Immigrant Coalition was proudly founded in 2006 to ensure immigrant, refugee, and new American voices are heard at a local, state, and federal level to advocate for humane and fair immigration policies.

While we have fought to make Nevada a more welcoming state that treats immigrant workers with dignity and respect, the fact is no jurisdiction in Nevada is a “sanctuary city” and even more embarrassing for DHS, there is no such place as “Las Vegas City” in Nevada.

The reality for Nevadans is that working families continue to be separated everyday by ICE and local law enforcement agencies in the City of Las Vegas, Henderson, Parump, and other jails throughout the state. During Trump’s 100 days, residents in Southern and Northern Nevada experienced a surge in ICE activity in April and May.

Despite years of organizing by the Nevada Immigrant Coalition to ensure Nevada is a welcoming and accessible state for people of all backgrounds, then-Sheriff Lombardo continued to deport Nevadans and lied about it to our community. As the Las Vegas Sun reported in 2021: ‘Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo has changed his tune on immigration now that he is running for governor. Lombardo, who for years has downplayed Metro Police’s role in immigration policies and deportations, boasted at a recent campaign event to Republican voters that 10,000 undocumented persons have been deported under his leadership.’

Instead of allowing our cities to be strong-armed by the hateful Trump agenda, Governor Joe Lombardo and Mayor Shelley Berkley should be working to stand up against attempts to divide us and protect the immigrant communities that live, work, and contribute to our state. NIC calls on elected officials to not sell us out to this administration. We believe in working towards a Nevada that welcomes, respects, and protects everyone regardless of their immigration status.”

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The Nevada Immigrant Coalition (NIC), led by the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada (PLAN), Culinary Union, and Make the Road Nevada, with support from over 20 statewide partners, has mobilized in response to the surges in ICE activity in Northern and Southern Nevada. The NIC will post all breaking news and confirmations of ICE activity in Nevada on Instagram and Twitter (X)

The Nevada Immigrant Coalition (NIC) urges members of the immigrant community to know their rights, have family preparedness plans in place, and be aware of ICE officers in plainclothes and unmarked vehicles. All Nevadans, regardless of immigration status, have rights and deserve due process.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS:

If ICE stops you . . .

*You can ask the officers if you are being detained, if you are not, then you are free to leave.

*You have the right to remain silent. You do not have to answer any questions regarding your immigration status, where you were born, or how you entered the United States.

*Do not physically resist a government official and do not run away.

*If you are over 18 or over, and a non-citizen, an immigration officer may request to see your immigration documents.  If you have your documents, the law requires you to share them if you have them.

*If you do not have your immigration documents, you still have the right to remain silent and ask for an attorney.

*Do not provide false documents to officials.

If ICE comes to your home . . .

*In most circumstances, you are not required to open the door for ICE if they don’t have a judicial warrant. A Judicial warrant is a document that is signed by a judge.

*You have the right to remain silent and not answer any questions.

If ICE takes you into custody . . .

*You have the right to ask to speak with an attorney.

*You have the right to not sign any document that you do not understand. Even if the ICE officers are persistent and want to pressure you, do not sign.

*In certain cases, you can request to see the immigration judge. Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to ask for bail to be released from custody.

*You have the right to request to contact your country’s consulate for help.

*If you have minor children, let the officers know that you are the parent or primary caregiver. ICE may “exercise discretion” and let you go.

To find loved ones who may have been detained: Search the ICE Detainee Locator.

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ABOUT THE 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 Nevada Immigrant 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.
Get updates from the Nevada Immigrant Coalition (NIC) on Instagram and Twitter (X).