Trump administration deems Las Vegas a 'sanctuary jurisdiction' for undocumented immigrants

Ricardo Torres-Cortez, Las Vegas Review-Journal on May 29, 2025

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

LAS VEGAS — Las Vegas is one of hundreds of jurisdictions across the U.S. that the Department of Homeland Security labeled as a so-called “sanctuary” for undocumented immigrants, a classification the mayor and Nevada’s governor rejects.

“These sanctuary city politicians are endangering Americans and our law enforcement in order to protect violent criminal illegal aliens,” DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement. “We are exposing these sanctuary politicians who harbor criminal illegal aliens and defy federal law. President Trump and I will always put the safety of the American people first. Sanctuary politicians are on notice: comply with federal law.”

Mayor Shelley Berkley has repeatedly stated the the city is not a sanctuary.

“I want to be very clear: Las Vegas is not a sanctuary city; it has never been a sanctuary city,” Berkley told the Las Vegas Review-Journal Thursday. “I am respectfully requesting that our name be taken off that list. It is inaccurate.”

She said the designation came as a “total surprise.”

The city underlined Berkley’s position Thursday, writing in a statement that “law enforcement and jail facilities here comply with federal law.”

Added the city: “We hope to have conversations with those at the federal level to clear up this misunderstanding.”

Gov. Joe Lombardo’s office echoed the city’s position.

“Just as the State of Nevada is not a sanctuary state, the City of Las Vegas is not a sanctuary jurisdiction,” Lombardo spokesperson Elizabeth Ray wrote in a statement.

“The City of Las Vegas is working to quickly resolve this incorrect categorization with the Department of Homeland Security,” the statement said. “Nevada will continue to follow federal law and cooperate with federal immigration authorities under Governor Lombardo’s leadership.”

The DHS said that “the list can be reviewed and changed at any time and will be updated regularly.”

The list was formulated through a late-April executive order issued by President Donald Trump, who made “mass deportations” a cornerstone of his winning reelection campaign.

Sanctuary jurisdictions, according to the order, would have federal funds withheld.

“The list below was created to identify sanctuary jurisdictions, which are determined by factors like compliance with federal law enforcement, information restrictions, and legal protections for illegal aliens,” DHS said.

The agency did not immediately respond to a message asking how Las Vegas ended up on the list, which includes jurisdictions from 34 states.

Las Vegas is the only Nevada jurisdiction listed.

Each jurisdiction identified will be notified about its noncompliance, the federal agency said. “DHS demands that these jurisdictions immediately review and revise their policies to align with Federal immigration laws and renew their obligation to protect American citizens, not dangerous illegal aliens.”

The Metropolitan Police Department and the city have informal agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at the Clark County Detention Center and the municipal jail.

That means that any undocumented inmate booked at the Clark County Detention Center, who is accused of a violent crime, DUI or domestic violence, or who has an immigration warrant, is reported to ICE, which then has a chance to pick up the inmate.

The Laken Riley Act expanded the list of reportable offenses to include theft-related crimes ranging from petty theft to burglary.

Berkley said the city’s policy at the municipal jail mirrors Metro’s and that she defers to the position of Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill.

“We have a responsibility, if someone comes into the municipal jail, to notify ICE, and then it’s their responsibility to take it from there,” Berkley said previously. “As long as the sheriff is comfortable with that and is using the resources he has to do the job that the city of Las Vegas and the county has tasked him with, then I’m very comfortable with that.”

Metro’s collaboration with ICE is limited to the jail.

DHS did not respond to a question inquiring about how Las Vegas ended up on the list.

_____