In a significant policy shift, Nevada has been officially removed from the Department of Justice's list of sanctuary states. This comes after the state agreed to a signed "Memorandum of Understanding" with the Department of Justice to enforce federal immigration laws more closely, as reported by News 3 LV. The Department of Justice's announcement follows President Donald Trump's April executive order which instructed the Department to identify jurisdictions that hinder the enforcement of immigration laws.
The list of sanctuary jurisdictions released by the Department of Justice on August 5 included Nevada but the recent collaboration between the state officials and the Department of Justice prompted the removal. According to FOX5 Vegas, officials are optimistic about the future, stating, "The Department of Justice is committed to eradicating sanctuary policies across America. We applaud Governor Lombardo and Nevada for taking necessary steps to fully comply with the Trump Administration’s immigration policy. This should serve as a reminder to other jurisdictions: come to the table and work with us instead of going to court," said Attorney General Pamela Bondi.
The memorandum details Nevada's commitment under Governor Joe Lombardo to address the nation's immigration challenges. Governor Lombardo voiced his position, reinforcing that Nevada will prioritize federal law adherence. "Despite the Attorney General’s attempts to implement sanctuary policies, Nevada is not a sanctuary state, has never been a sanctuary state, and will never be a sanctuary state under my leadership," Lombardo stated, as reported by both News 3 LV and FOX5 Vegas. "The State’s agreement with the Department of Justice today reaffirms our commitment to following federal immigration law in Nevada."
Prior to this agreement, the City of Las Vegas was on the Department of Homeland Security's list of "sanctuary jurisdictions", a claim disputed by both Mayor Shelley Berkley and Governor Lombardo. The recent development has now resolved this discord, solidifying Nevada's stance on immigration compliance. Inquiries for further commentary have been made to Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford’s office, by FOX5 Vegas.
