Official portrait of Shelley Berkley, Mayor of Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS, NV — As the Trump administration escalates its campaign against so-called sanctuary jurisdictions, officials in Las Vegas are reaffirming the city’s full cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, distancing Southern Nevada from potential penalties outlined in a new executive order.
On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14159, “Protecting the American People Against Invasion,” directing the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to identify state and local governments that obstruct or limit cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Targeted jurisdictions could face lawsuits or loss of federal funding.
The order follows what the White House has characterized as a “95% decline in illegal border crossings” since March 2024, a figure widely cited by administration officials but not yet independently verified.
“Sanctuary policies violate common sense and public trust,” President Trump said during the signing ceremony. “We are restoring law and order and protecting American families.”
Las Vegas: Not a Sanctuary City
Despite online speculation, Las Vegas is not a sanctuary city, a point underscored by both city and state leaders.
“The city of Las Vegas is not a sanctuary city. We follow federal law, and we will do everything that we are supposed to under the law in order to comply with it,” said Mayor Shelley Berkley in a press briefing, as reported by the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) recently expanded its ICE notification policy in accordance with the Laken Riley Act and federal priorities. Under the revised guidelines, ICE is alerted when individuals are arrested for a range of charges including felonies, domestic violence, DUI, burglary, theft, petit larceny, and assault of a law enforcement officer.
The Clark County Detention Center—a central holding facility operated by LVMPD—continues to provide booking data to federal immigration authorities as part of its enforcement cooperation.
Statewide Alignment with Federal Law
At the state level, Governor Joe Lombardo reaffirmed Nevada’s commitment to upholding federal immigration statutes.
“As long as I am Governor, Nevada will continue to follow federal law,” Lombardo said in a February 2025 statement issued by the Governor’s Office.
This position contrasts sharply with cities like New York, San Francisco, and Chicago, where leaders have affirmed sanctuary status and are preparing to challenge the executive order in court.
What This Means for the Immigrant Communities
For Las Vegas’ diverse immigrant communities—including large Filipino, Latino, and Asian American populations—the city’s reaffirmation of compliance offers clarity amid a turbulent national policy landscape. While many cities brace for legal and financial backlash from the federal crackdown, Las Vegas is not among those expected to be targeted.
Still, community advocates urge vigilance. The national immigration climate remains tense, and undocumented residents are encouraged to know their rights and seek legal counsel if contacted by ICE or other federal agents.
Local organizations across Clark County continue to offer free legal aid, multilingual resources, and workshops on deportation defense and family preparedness. Their message is unified: even in a city that complies with federal law, immigrant communities should remain informed, empowered, and ready.
