FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 

Thursday, April 17, 2025

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Hector Fong | [email protected]  

Bethany Khan | [email protected]

Viridiana Vidal | [email protected] 

Las Vegas, NV –  Ahead of Good Friday and Easter, Las Vegas and Reno have experienced a surge in immigration enforcement activities, with reports of U.S. immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents often operating in plainclothes and unmarked vehicles. The Nevada Immigrant Coalition held a virtual media availability Wednesday, April 16th, 2025 during the on-going surge.

Immigrant workers pay taxes, fund public services, strengthen our economy, are loved community members, and are essential to Nevada’s workforce. According to FWD.us analysis, immigrants make up 24% of Nevada’s labor force and contribute an estimated $20.2 billion to the Nevada economy annually.

The Nevada Immigrant Coalition (NIC) is urging the 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. The Nevada Immigrant Coalition (NIC) will post all breaking news and confirmations of ICE activity in Nevada on Instagram and Twitter (X).

“The Nevada Immigrant Coalition (NIC) has confirmed that ICE has detained an unknown number of Nevadans since Monday. As the exact number remains unclear, we urge members of the media to demand answers from ICE and Sheriff Kevin McMahill about how many members of our community have been separated from their families,” said Leo Murrieta, Executive Director at Make the Road Nevada. “What’s happening in Las Vegas is alarming. We’ve confirmed increased immigration enforcement across the city, and our community is feeling the impact—neighbors, coworkers, and friends are being detained. In moments like this, information becomes protection. We urge everyone to stay alert, know your rights, use your right to record, or take pictures when encountering an immigration enforcement activity to inform the community and build a Family Preparedness Plan with trusted groups like the Nevada Immigrant Coalition. When we’re informed and organized, we’re safer—and we stand stronger together.”

“With everything that’s going on this week, I like to focus on empowering our community and what we can do, instead of worrying about hypotheticals and spreading fear. Knowledge is power, our community needs to know that they have power and that they have rights. Even if they are undocumented immigrants, The Constitution of the United States still protects every single person. Everyone has the right to ask for an attorney and that’s what we urge Nevadans to do if they are detained. We also want to remind people that if ICE comes to your home, work, or stops you in your car, that you have the right to remain silent, ask for a warrant signed by a judge, and to not sign any document that you do not understand. We urge every family to have a plan, to reach out to a trusted attorney, and to know their rights,” said Adriana Pereya, Nevada immigration attorney. 

ALERT TO COMMUNITY: Enforcement actions aren’t exclusively limited to ICE officials and may include other federal agencies in Las Vegas. Be aware that ICE agents aren’t always in uniform or in marked cars. They are often in plainclothes or wearing badges labeled:

• ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives)
  
• DHS (Department of Homeland Security)
  
• FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation)
  
• DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration)
  
• USMS (U.S. Marshals Service)
  
• BOP (Federal Bureau of Prisons)
  
• ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement)
  
• HSI (Homeland Security Investigations – a division of ICE)

TO FIND LOVED ONES WHO MAY HAVE BEEN DETAINED: Search the ICE Detainee Locator.

The Nevada Immigrant Coalition urges Nevadans to know which documents to carry in order to protect themselves during targeted ICE activity.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS:

If ICE stops you . . .

*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 have any valid immigration documents, show them to the ICE officers.

If ICE comes to your home . . .

*You have the right to not open the door.

*You may remain silent and not answer any questions.

*You have the right to refuse any official wishing to enter without a warrant. A warrant must be shown to you and must have your correct name and address on it.

If ICE takes you into custody . . .

*Ask to speak with an attorney.

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

*Request to see the immigration judge. In most cases, you may be able to ask for bail in order 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.

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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 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.