Nevada is home to hundreds of thousands of immigrants. The state’s immigration landscape shifted fast in 2025 and 2026. If you or someone you love is navigating this right now, you’re in the right place.
This article breaks down the key immigration laws affecting Nevada residents. We’ll cover your rights, what ICE can and can’t do, recent court rulings, and where to get help. Let’s get into it.
What Is Immigration Law?
Immigration law refers to the rules that govern who can enter, live, and work in the United States. These laws come from the federal government, meaning they apply in every state. But states like Nevada also have their own policies that affect how local officials interact with federal immigration enforcement.
Right now, that relationship between state and federal law is shifting fast. And honestly, it’s one of the most important things to understand.
Nevada’s Sanctuary Status: What Happened in 2025
You may have heard the term “sanctuary state.” It basically means a place where local police limit their cooperation with federal immigration agents.
Nevada was briefly added to the Trump administration’s list of sanctuary jurisdictions in August 2025. That changed quickly. In September 2025, Nevada became the first state removed from that list after Governor Joe Lombardo signed a formal agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.
Okay, pause. Read this carefully. That agreement changed things significantly for Nevada residents.
As part of the deal, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department rejoined the federal 287(g) program. That program lets local law enforcement assist ICE in carrying out immigration enforcement. It’s similar to a partnership agreement, but with serious consequences for immigrant communities.
The ACLU of Nevada filed a lawsuit challenging the LVMPD’s 287(g) agreement with ICE in November 2025. That legal battle is still ongoing.
How Local Police Interact with ICE
Wondering how this affects you if you’re stopped by police? Let’s break it down.
Different police departments in Nevada have different policies. Henderson Police Department has announced that it will alert ICE if an undocumented person is booked into their jail for any charge. However, they stated they will not assist ICE with deportation operations directly. North Las Vegas Police has not released a clear public statement on its ICE policy at this time.
If you have any contact with law enforcement, it is important to speak with a defense attorney. Ask about the possible immigration consequences of any charge, plea deal, or conviction. This may mean getting a separate consultation with an immigration attorney too.
School Protections Passed in Late 2025
Here’s where things get interesting. In a December 2025 special legislative session, Nevada lawmakers passed important protections for immigrant families with school-aged children.
The new law limits ICE’s ability to conduct immigration enforcement on school grounds. It also restricts schools from sharing students’ personal information with immigration officers. These protections were added to a broader crime bill signed by Governor Lombardo.
A separate school zone safety bill also included language limiting what student information schools can share. This is a big deal for parents worried about enforcement near campuses.
Most people don’t realize that these protections apply broadly, not just to undocumented students. That was intentional. Lawmakers designed them to avoid federal pushback by making the rules apply to everyone on school grounds.
The Big Court Ruling of 2026
Hold on, this part is really important.
In March 2026, a federal court in Nevada handed down a major ruling on immigration detention. The Trump administration had introduced a policy known as “mandatory detention.” Under that policy, ICE was required to lock up nearly everyone facing deportation, even people who had lived in the U.S. for decades and had no criminal record.
U.S. District Judge Richard Boulware II ruled that this mandatory detention policy violates federal law. He said it causes “irreparable harm” to those arrested. The ruling restored access to bond hearings for undocumented immigrants in Nevada.
Think of it like this: before the ruling, people facing deportation had no chance to ask a judge to let them go home to their families while their case was decided. Now they can ask for a bond hearing.
The ACLU of Nevada and the UNLV Immigration Clinic brought this case. It was filed on behalf of people who had been denied bond hearings, including individuals who came to the U.S. as minors and had no criminal convictions.
Your Legal Rights as an Immigrant in Nevada
You’re not alone if this feels overwhelming. Most people don’t know what rights they have. Let me walk you through the basics.
Every person in the United States has certain legal rights, regardless of immigration status. This is protected by the U.S. Constitution.
You have the right to remain silent. You do not have to tell police or immigration officers your immigration status. You have the right to refuse to let officers search you or enter your home without a judicial warrant. There is a difference between a judicial warrant, signed by a judge, and an administrative warrant issued by ICE. ICE warrants do not legally allow officers to enter your home without your permission.
You have the right to speak with a lawyer before answering questions. You also have the right to refuse to sign any document until you have spoken with an attorney. You can refuse to sign documents you do not understand or that are not in your preferred language.
If you are detained by ICE, you have the right to seek protection from deportation if you fear torture or persecution in your home country. You also have the right to receive a copy of every document filed in your immigration case.
Pretty straightforward, right? But these rights only help if you know them in advance.
Drivers Licenses and ID in Nevada
Nevada allows undocumented immigrants to apply for a standard driver’s license. You do not need to be a citizen or have a visa to get one. This has been the case for several years and has not changed.
However, there is an important update for commercial drivers licenses. As of March 16, 2026, the U.S. government blocked asylum seekers and other immigrants from receiving new commercial drivers licenses. Those are the special licenses needed to drive large vehicles like semi-trucks. This rule is being challenged in court.
Also worth knowing: since May 7, 2025, adults 18 and older need a REAL ID-compliant card to fly domestically. A work permit card, a U.S. or foreign passport, or a REAL ID driver’s license with a star in the upper corner will work for travel.
Who Is a Priority for ICE Enforcement?
Not sure where you fall on ICE’s enforcement priorities? Here’s what we know right now.
Currently, people with a prior immigration history of deportation, expedited removal, or a criminal background are considered top priorities for enforcement. People deemed a threat to public safety or national security are also priorities. This includes things like domestic violence convictions, DUIs, drug convictions, and being a repeat offender.
That said, the mandatory detention ruling mentioned above matters here. The policy that was struck down in Nevada would have locked up nearly everyone facing deportation, regardless of criminal history. That broader approach has been challenged successfully in court.
I looked into this carefully. The legal landscape is changing week to week. That is why checking current sources often matters so much.
Mixed-Status Families: A Growing Concern
Nevada has the highest proportion of mixed-status households of any state in the country. A mixed-status household means some family members are citizens or legal residents, while others are undocumented.
In early 2026, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development proposed a new rule. Under the proposal, if one family member is undocumented, the entire household could lose federal housing assistance. About 20,000 mixed-status families in Nevada benefit from HUD housing assistance. This proposed rule was still in a public comment period as of this writing and had not been finalized.
Many people assume only undocumented family members would be affected by immigration policies. They find out the hard way that entire families can be impacted. Don’t be caught off guard.
What to Do If ICE Comes to Your Home
Stay with me here. This section could matter a lot.
If immigration officers come to your door, do not open the door automatically. Ask them to show their warrant through the door or a window. If the warrant is an administrative ICE warrant and not a judicial warrant signed by a judge, you are not legally required to let them in.
You have the right to say clearly, “I do not consent to a search.” You also have the right to remain silent. Do not answer questions about where you were born or how you entered the United States.
Keep a “red card” with you. This is a small card that explains your rights in the event of an ICE encounter. The Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada and the ACLU of Nevada both offer these cards. Write down a lawyer’s phone number before anything happens.
The ACLU of Nevada also has an online form where you can report possible civil rights violations by ICE, including during a raid or a home visit.
How to Find Help in Nevada
Honestly, knowing where to turn makes all the difference.
The Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada provides free legal help and immigration guidance. You can reach them at 702-386-1070. Their office is at 725 E. Charleston Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89104.
The ACLU of Nevada offers Know Your Rights training and materials. They cover workplace encounters, schools, home visits, and more. You can request training for your organization through their website at aclunv.org.
The UNLV Immigration Clinic, led by attorney Michael Kagan, provides legal representation and has been active in major immigration court cases in Nevada. Washoe Legal Services in Reno can also be reached at 775-329-2727 for those in northern Nevada.
The Nevada Attorney General’s Office also has Know Your Rights materials available in English and Spanish. They do not ask about immigration status when people contact them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Nevada police ask me about my immigration status?
You have the right to remain silent and do not have to disclose your immigration status to local police. Local policies vary by department.
Does Nevada cooperate with ICE?
Yes. As of September 2025, Nevada signed an agreement with the Department of Justice to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement, and LVMPD rejoined the 287(g) program.
Can ICE enter my child’s school?
A 2025 Nevada law limits immigration enforcement on school grounds. Schools are also restricted from sharing student records with ICE without proper legal process.
Can I get a driver’s license in Nevada without legal immigration status?
Yes. Nevada allows undocumented immigrants to obtain a standard driver’s license. Commercial licenses have different rules as of 2026.
What is a bond hearing and do I have the right to one?
A bond hearing is when a judge decides if you can be released while your immigration case is decided. A March 2026 court ruling in Nevada restored access to bond hearings for many immigrants who were being held without one.
What is a 287(g) agreement?
It is a formal agreement that allows local police to assist ICE with immigration enforcement tasks. LVMPD entered one in June 2025.
Where can I report an ICE rights violation in Nevada?
You can report violations through the ACLU of Nevada’s website at aclunv.org or call the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada at 702-386-1070.
Final Thoughts
Nevada’s immigration landscape changed more in 2025 and 2026 than it had in years. The state removed itself from the sanctuary list, local police partnered with ICE, and new court rulings gave immigrants back some protections they had lost.
Knowing your rights is the first step. Staying informed is the second. And having a lawyer’s number saved in your phone could make a real difference.
Now you know where things stand. When things feel uncertain, reach out to one of the legal resources listed here. You don’t have to figure this out alone.
References
- Nevada Attorney General’s Office, Know Your Rights (Immigration): https://ag.nv.gov/uploadedFiles/agnvgov/Content/Issues/Nevada%20Know%20Your%20Rights%20Immigration%20(Individuals).pdf
- Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada, Immigration Resources: https://www.lacsn.org/practice-areas/family-justice-project/immigration/current-immigration-information
- ACLU of Nevada, Immigrants’ Rights: https://www.aclunv.org/know-your-rights/immigrants-rights/
- The Nevada Independent, Nevada immigration coverage (2025-2026): https://thenevadaindependent.com/articles/immigration
- Nevada Current, Nevada removed from sanctuary list (September 2025): https://nevadacurrent.com/2025/09/26/nevada-first-state-to-be-removed-from-list-of-sanctuary-jurisdictions/
- ACLU of Nevada, Federal Court Ruling on Mandatory Detention (March 2026): https://www.aclunv.org/press-releases/federal-court-rules-in-favor-of-aclu-of-nevada-in-major-class-action-immigration-lawsuit/
- Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project, Nevada Driver’s Licenses: https://asaptogether.org/en/licenses/nevada/
