FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 18, 2025

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Hector Fong | [email protected]

Bethany Khan | [email protected]

The Nevada Immigrant Coalition Hosts International Migrant Day Vigil for Separated Families and Call on Henderson to End ICE Collaboration

Link to Facebook Livestream Here

Link to Photos and Video Here

Las Vegas, NV – On International Migrants Day, The Nevada Immigrant Coalition brought together community members and leaders to mourn separated families and call on the City of Henderson to end collaboration with ICE at a Vigil. 

The Henderson Detention Center is one of three detention centers in Nevada that provides bed space to ICE and a critical part in ICE’s efforts to separate families in Nevada. In addition, Henderson’s current policy asks untrained police officers to turn immigrants over to ICE based on their suspicion of someone being undocumented – regardless of whether they have been convicted of a crime or not, even if charges are dropped. 

Continued collaboration with ICE deteriorates the community’s trust in local law enforcement agencies. 

“Turning local law enforcement into immigration enforcers doesn’t make our communities safer, it terrorizes them. No matter what agreement between Henderson Police Department and ICE is struck, it’s not protecting rights, it’s violating them,” said Noé Orosco, Coalition Coordinator of the Nevada Immigrant Coalition. “Right now our communities are being silenced because of fear, our neighbors are being kidnapped, and people are scared to call the police because doing so could mean detention or deportation. Civil rights mean nothing when human rights are denied.”

“The end of Henderson City jail serving as an ICE detention center is a good step forward, but more has to be done to protect Nevadans from ICE’s abuse.  Our communities are in fear, friends and family are being kidnapped in our streets and families are being torn apart. Our communities suffer when trust in our local government is broken.  Now is the time for our electeds to rise and stand up for their constituents, because if they don’t help protect our communities from this abuse, then are they really representing our community and interests?,” said Cristian Gonzalez, Supervising Attorney of Make the Road Nevada. “ When our government fails to protect us, it is up to us to force change and help each other out.  We all have rights regardless of immigration status, so let’s make sure we use them.”

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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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