Illustration depicting collaboration between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities in Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley has endorsed the Clark County Sheriff’s Office’s recent 287(g) agreement with ICE, allowing local law enforcement to assist in detaining unauthorized immigrants involved in crimes. This decision follows a misconception that Las Vegas was a ‘sanctuary city,’ which was quickly retracted. The city, along with civic leaders, emphasizes its commitment to federal immigration laws. While Berkley supports the program, she remains cautious about immigration enforcement duties affecting local safety initiatives, as the landscape of immigration policies continues to evolve.
Las Vegas – Mayor Shelley Berkley has publicly expressed her support for the recent decision by the Clark County Sheriff’s Office to sign a 287(g) agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This agreement allows local law enforcement to work alongside federal immigration officials in identifying and detaining unauthorized immigrants involved in criminal activities. The agreement was signed by Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill on May 30, and it came only a day after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) mistakenly classified Las Vegas as a “sanctuary city” for undocumented immigrants. This erroneous designation was promptly retracted, but not before raising significant concerns among city officials.
Mayor Berkley did not encourage or discourage the Metropolitan Police Department (Metro) to enter into the 287(g) agreement. However, she affirmed her support following its approval. Under this new contract, Metro personnel assigned to the Clark County Detention Center will be responsible for notifying ICE when certain unauthorized residents are booked, allowing federal authorities additional time—up to 48 hours—to detain inmates after local charges have been resolved.
Prior to the 287(g) agreement, Metro had already been reporting individuals suspected of violent crimes under a separate law, known as the Laken Riley Act. The decision to rejoin the program came after internal discussions began before the sanctuary designation controversy arose. It is important to note that Sheriff McMahill shared that Metro will cover all expenses related to immigration duties, including training and overtime for affected personnel.
In light of the sanctuary city designation, which threatens federal funding for local jurisdictions, Berkley and other civic leaders have worked to clarify this situation. They firmly deny the characterization of Las Vegas as a sanctuary city, insisting that the city complies with all federal immigration laws. Under the definition provided by the Trump administration, sanctuary jurisdictions are those that “obstruct the enforcement of federal immigration laws.” Berkley emphasized that were Las Vegas genuinely a sanctuary city, she would advocate for such a designation; however, she maintains that it is not. Conversations with the DHS are ongoing to rectify the misunderstanding regarding the incorrect classification.
Other political leaders in the region, including Governor Joe Lombardo’s office, have also publicly rejected the idea of Las Vegas as a sanctuary jurisdiction. They reaffirmed Nevada’s commitment to abide by federal immigration laws and stated that direct communication from the federal government regarding the sanctum classification is yet to be received.
The 287(g) program has been signed by several law enforcement agencies across Northern Nevada this year, showcasing a trend toward closer collaboration between local and federal authorities on immigration matters. Las Vegas had previously withdrawn from this program due to constitutional concerns that were raised following a court ruling, which has since been resolved according to Sheriff McMahill.
Despite Berkley’s support, she remains apprehensive about Metro officers taking on the responsibilities of federal immigration enforcement, reaffirming that their primary focus remains on local public safety initiatives and community trust. The city is still awaiting further clarity from the DHS regarding the initial incorrect sanctuary city designation, which poses significant implications for future federal funding and local governance.
Overall, the dynamic surrounding immigration enforcement in Las Vegas is still evolving, with local law enforcement navigating the balance between community safety and federal immigration policies amid changing political landscapes.
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