FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Wednesday, October 1, 2025

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Hector Fong | [email protected]

Bethany Khan | [email protected]

The Nevada Immigrant Coalition calls Governor Lombardo out for spreading fear while Nevadans struggle amidst high costs

Las Vegas, NV–  On September 26th, the Department of Justice (DOJ) released a memo announcing Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo’s complicitness in upholding the Trump agenda of hate and family disappearances. In one of the states with the highest proportion of immigrants in the country, Governor Lombardo has committed to using Nevada’s resources and public servants to target working families. The new DOJ memo also announces Nevada as the first state to be removed from the DOJ’s sanctuary jurisdiction list, despite it being incorrectly included. 

The Nevada Immigrant Coalition issued the following statement:

“This memo, which has little substance and reflects no changes in policy, is a consolation ribbon for Governor Lombardo to show how easily he can be pushed around by the Trump Administration’s bullying tactics and how far he would go to sell off Nevadan resources and working families.

Now that Lombardo has pleased Trump enough to take Nevada off of the sanctuary jurisdiction list (a false designation from the beginning), he needs to focus on ways to improve the lives of Nevadans who are worried about paying rent, buying groceries, and being laid off from their jobs. Lombardo’s actions will continue to spread fear and distrust between immigrant communities and state institutions, including law enforcement agencies.” 

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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 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.
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