The City of Las Vegas has found itself listed as a ‘sanctuary city’ by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), a designation that city officials vehemently contest.
Mayor Shelley Berkley and Governor Joe Lombardo expressed strong disapproval of the designation, which they argue is both inaccurate and misleading.
In response to DHS releasing its list of jurisdictions reportedly not adhering to immigration laws, Berkley stated, “It was a mistake. It could be an inadvertent error.”
The mayor emphasized, “I’ve been asked that question since I became mayor. The answer is always the same: No, the City of Las Vegas is not a sanctuary city, period. End of discussion. Please take us off the list; we don’t belong there.”
Both Berkley and Lombardo are keen to distance the city from the sanctuary label. In a statement released from Lombardo’s office, he proclaimed, “Just as the State of Nevada is not a sanctuary state, the City of Las Vegas is not a sanctuary jurisdiction.”
The statement continued, stressing the city’s intent to address what they deem a mistake with DHS: “The City of Las Vegas is working to quickly resolve this incorrect categorization with the Department of Homeland Security.”
Lombardo vowed that Nevada would continue to comply with federal laws and collaborate with federal immigration authorities.
The DHS articulated the criteria for designating a sanctuary jurisdiction, citing factors such as self-identification, noncompliance with federal law enforcement concerning immigration laws, information-sharing restrictions, and legal protections for undocumented immigrants.
This begs the question of whether the designation relates to actions taken by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD), which has a policy clarifying that immigration enforcement is not within its purview.
Sheriff Kevin McMahill pointed out that, while Nevada peace officers can assist in federal law enforcement, the LVMPD “will not enforce immigration laws.” He stated, “We here at Metro will continue to follow the laws as they are written. We don’t make the law, OK?”
The LVMPD’s policies ensure that officers notify Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) when undocumented individuals are arrested for serious crimes. However, they typically do not hold these individuals if ICE is not present at the time of release.
The issue of Las Vegas being labeled a sanctuary city is not new; it previously attracted national attention in 2015 stemming from a controversial case involving a man who was in the U.S. illegally and later charged with a serious crime in another state.
As this latest incident unfolds, sources indicate that failure to comply with federal immigration directives could yield consequences, including potential withholding of federal funds for jurisdictions identified as non-compliant.
While Mayor Berkley and Governor Lombardo assert that they are not in violation of any laws, Nevada Senate Republican leader Robin Titus has called for law enforcement agencies across the state to collaborate more closely with federal immigration authorities.
In her push for cooperation, Titus urged every county in Nevada to participate in the 287G Program, which empowers local officers to identify and potentially remove individuals in the country illegally who also commit crimes. Currently, only three of the seventeen counties in Nevada are taking part in this ICE partnership.
The DHS has indicated that jurisdictions deemed non-compliant will be notified of their status; however, it’s unclear how long it will take to rectify the situation for the City of Las Vegas.
As officials seek clarification and resolution, the debate over immigration enforcement and local law policies continues to ignite strong opinions from both sides.
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