FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Friday, August 8, 2025

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Hector Fong | [email protected]

Bethany Khan | [email protected]

Nevada Immigrant Coalition condemns Governor Lombardo for authorizing the National Guard’s collaboration with ICE against Nevadans to wage war on immigrants and to carry out Trump’s anti-immigrant mass deportation agenda

Las Vegas, NV – As reported by the Nevada Independent, the Nevada National Guard has been authorized to assist federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)  in separating families in an “administrative” capacity. ICE has widely used tactics of fear and intimidation as agents separate families at their workplaces, schools, and even outside of courtrooms. 

The Nevada Immigrant Coalition will continue to organize towards a Nevada that welcomes, respects, and protects everyone regardless of their immigration status.

The Nevada Immigrant Coalition issued the following statement: 

“The Nevada Immigrant Coalition condemns Governor Joe Lombardo’s use of Nevada’s National Guard to fuel Trump’s mass deportation and authoritarian agenda. 

Instead of upholding due process and tackling the economic issues that impact all Nevadans, Lombardo is shirking his responsibility to protect working families by supporting an extremist agenda that continues to devastate our communities.

The Trump / Lombardo agenda has fractured families and already negatively impacted Nevada’s tourism-dependent economy. 

Lombardo is willing to enlist Nevadans to separate families and his lack of transparency regarding his agreements to sign Nevadans up to do “temporary administrative duties” with the Trump Administration / ICE is concerning and unclear. 

We deserve to know where Nevadans are being sent and what for.

It’s shameful that Lombardo has bent the knee to Trump and his bully tactics just days after Nevada was, once again, incorrectly listed by Trump’s DOJ’s sanctuary jurisdiction list. 

Nevadans demand better.”

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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.

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.

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.
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