The Nevada Immigrant Coalition hosts town hall with Telemundo Las Vegas
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Hector Fong | [email protected]
Bethany Khan | [email protected]
Andrea Masnata | [email protected]
The Nevada Immigrant Coalition hosts town hall with Telemundo Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV – Last week, on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, the Nevada Immigrant Coalition hosted an immigration town hall with Telemundo Las Vegas from 5:00pm – 7:00pm. Town hall panelists included Diana Valles (President of the Culinary Union), Erika Castro (Organizing Director with the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada), Martha Menendez (Nevada immigration attorney), Robert Garcia (Lead Organizer with Make the Road Nevada), Giovanni Alonso, Esq., (Directing Attorney, Immigration Advocacy Project at Legal Aid Center of Southern NV), and Gisela de la Rosa (Community Outreach with Fuente de Vida).
Immigration attorneys shared local and federal immigration updates, community organizers spoke about how to protect our families and loved ones, and a live Know Your Rights training was held during the two-hour broadcast.
The Nevada Immigrant Coalition issued the following statements:
“The United States of America is a nation of immigrants and our economy depends on immigrant labor – whether in hospitality, construction, agriculture, or health care. In Nevada, we are facing economic chaos and uncertainty, and a possible Trump Slump recession. The Trump Administration’s attack on the working people who power our economy and keep our hotels, casinos, and cities running must end. This country was built by those who believed in the American Dream and we won’t let fear-mongering or extremist views distract or divide us. Culinary Union’s 90 years of worker power is rooted in our solidarity and we will not be silent as Nevadans, who are DREAMers or have Temporary Protected Status (TPS), are under attack,” said Diana Valles, President of the Culinary Union. “Because we organized and fought for decades, the Culinary Union has immigrant rights in our contracts that have been voted on unanimously by Culinary Union members – that’s why every casino on the 100% unionized Las Vegas Strip and also in Downtown Las Vegas has agreed to due process for all Culinary Union members employed at the resorts. We must continue to stand together because if one worker is under attack, we all are under attack, and when our communities are under attack, we are standing up and fighting back because we believe in us and we are here to stay.”
“Our community is anxious and scared, but we are responding with facts, education, and empowerment. That’s why the Nevada Immigrant Coalition has once again partnered with Telemundo Las Vegas to host the immigration town hall. It’s more important than ever to be informed and be connected with trusted sources and organizations on the ground who are advocating for immigrant workers and their families,” said Erika Castro, Organizing Director of the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada. “Since April, communities in Nevada have been targeted for family separation, 287(g) was revived in Las Vegas, and our neighbors to the west have seen mass raids and the deployment of armed forces. Because of uncertainty and lack of transparency, there has been increased anxiety over ICE activity in Las Vegas. During the town hall, we heard those concerns and fears from community members materialize as questions like ‘if protesting will risk bringing for raids to our community?’ or ‘should we send our kids back to school?’. The Nevada Immigrant Coalition urges all community members, especially immigrants – undocumented or non/otherwise, to take extra precautions to minimize unnecessary interactions with law enforcement that could lead to detention, deportation, or family separation. We want to be clear: this doesn’t mean pulling your children from school. Our kids deserve safety, stability, and education — and we will continue showing up for them. But it does mean knowing your rights, sharing that knowledge with your children, and preparing your household for potential encounters with law enforcement or ICE. Empowerment through information is one of the best defenses we have.”
“We are living in difficult times. They are attacking us with laws that separate families and want to take away citizenship rights for children born here. But there is also something very beautiful: many people are coming together to say “enough is enough!” Across Nevada, thousands of people are speaking out, organizing, and demanding that leaders do the right thing. We are not alone. We are many, we work hard, we study, we care for our families, and we help our communities grow,” said Robert Garcia, Lead Organizer with Make the Road Nevada. “That is why we keep going. Because we know that fighting for what is right is worth it, and as long as we stand together, we will never lose hope.”
While the Nevada Immigrant Coalition continues to fight for policies and laws that protect immigrant rights, it’s critical to take steps to stay safe. That includes:
*Be careful to follow all traffic laws when driving.
*Don’t drink and drive.
*Avoid speeding or running red lights.
*Use appropriate turn signals.
*Fix broken tail lights, brake lights, and headlights promptly.
*Do not drive without a valid license or with an expired one.
*Avoid distractions while driving (example: texting or using your phone).
*Do not carry open containers of alcohol in your vehicle.
*Carry a Know Your Rights card or a graphic saved on your phone and emergency contact information.
NOTE: Possession or use of marijuana remains illegal for undocumented immigrants, even if it is legal in Nevada. A single traffic stop or citation can quickly escalate into immigration consequences and the Nevada Immigrant Coalition urges the community to be vigilant and protect yourself and your family.
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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). Community members can receive updates on immigration and resources from the Nevada Immigrant Coalition by texting “JOIN” or “UNETE” to 638-232 (terms of service).
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) or text “Join” to 638-232 receive updates via text (terms of service).