The Stakes
9%
Share of Nevada workforce undocumented[IMM1]Immigration systems analysis
650K
Immigrant residents (1 in 5 Nevadans)[IMM1]
$20.2B
Annual economic contribution[IMM1]
4
Agencies with 287(g) ICE agreements[IMM1]
Immigration is federally controlled, but Nevada’s lack of a statewide sanctuary or anti-sanctuary law leaves sheriffs and city departments to decide cooperation. That patchwork, combined with the country’s highest share of undocumented workers, makes immigration policy a live economic and public-safety issue for 2026.[IMM1]
Who Controls What
Federal
- ICE/ERO arrests and removals; CBP at airports.
- Immigration courts in Las Vegas handle cases; no state authority.
- DACA/TPS programs and detention standards.
State
- Model policies from AG; workforce strategy via Lt. Governor.
- Guard deployments and FEMA/ICE infrastructure approvals.
- Licenses, tuition, and professional access for immigrants.
Local
- 287(g) agreements and detainer decisions.
- Jail booking notifications and data-sharing rules.
- Can decline ICE work on constitutional/liability grounds.
287(g): Where Local Police Are Deputized
Las Vegas Metro
Rejoined June 2025 after “sanctuary” designation; jail notifications for selected crimes, no community enforcement. Detainer requests jumped from 32 (2024) to 957 (through Aug 2025).
Douglas & Mineral Counties
Signed February 2025; jail-based cooperation, Mineral applying for task force model.
Nye County
Task force roots (renewed 2020); status under review but historically pro-ICE.
Litigation Watch
Morais-Hechavarria v. LVMPD tests whether Dillon’s Rule bars local 287(g) without legislative approval—could void all Nevada agreements.
Enforcement Surge
Arrests
ICE arrests up 300% Jan–Jun 2025 vs. 2024; ~48 per week in Nevada—four times the prior rate.[IMM1]
Detention
Nevada Southern held 461 detainees in Nov 2025 (capacity 250); ICE exploring an added 450-bed tent facility.
Profile
12–14% had no criminal record; ~70% of others were nonviolent (traffic and drug offenses most common).
Economic Dependence
Immigrants are 24% of Nevada’s workforce (400K workers) and anchor hospitality, construction, and services.
Hospitality
44.6% of hotel workers and 74% of housekeepers are foreign-born; leisure/hospitality is 16.3% of state GDP.
Construction
36% immigrant workforce; 79% of firms report hiring difficulty; 100K+ worker shortfall estimated in Las Vegas.
Tax & Spending Power
$1.4B in state/local taxes from immigrants; $507M from undocumented workers; $16.6B spending power in Las Vegas households.[IMM1]
Legal Flashpoints
Morais-Hechavarria v. LVMPD
Challenges Metro’s 287(g) under Dillon’s Rule; could bar local agencies from partnering with ICE without legislative authorization.
Garay v. City of Las Vegas & ICE
Detainer practices challenged as Fourth Amendment violations; motion to dismiss denied.
ACLU v. ICE (Class Action)
Targets mandatory detention without bond hearings; could alter detention standards statewide.
Questions for 2026
How far should Nevada cooperate with ICE?
Governors can deploy Guard support and approve/deny ICE infrastructure while signaling to sheriffs on 287(g).
Should the Legislature clarify local authority?
A statute could authorize or prohibit local 287(g), replacing today’s patchwork and reducing litigation risk.
How to balance labor needs with enforcement?
With 9% of workers undocumented, aggressive detention spikes could stress hospitality and construction—the core of Nevada’s economy.
Candidate positions
See how Lombardo, Ford, and Hill differ on cooperation, Guard deployments, and 287(g).