Douglas County Sheriff's Office Stands Alone in Nevada-ICE Partnership

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Key Takeaways

• As of February 2025, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is Nevada’s sole agency enforcing immigration laws through ICE’s 287(g) task force model.
• The January 2025 Laken Riley Act mandates federal detention of undocumented immigrants accused of specified crimes, influencing Nevada law enforcement policies.
• Nevada agencies vary in ICE collaboration, with Reno Police limiting involvement and LVMPD requiring ICE notification for certain arrests.

As of February 2025, only one sheriff’s office in Nevada is actively working with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on immigration enforcement. This collaboration underlines broader national trends and highlights differing approaches by local law enforcement to federal immigration policies.

Douglas County Leading the Way

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is the sole Nevada law enforcement agency engaged in a formal agreement with ICE to enforce immigration laws. This partnership operates under the task force model of the 287(g) program. This model allows local deputies to interrogate individuals about their immigration status and even detain them if violations are suspected. Unlike older versions of the 287(g) program, which were focused on jails, the task force model shifts these duties to street-level operations.

In practical terms, this means Douglas County deputies are empowered to investigate, question, and potentially hold individuals on immigration matters while on patrol. This cooperation aligns Douglas County more closely with federal immigration priorities, but it also sets the county apart from its peers in Nevada.

The Role of the Laken Riley Act

The increased collaboration between federal authorities and some local law enforcement comes after significant policy changes implemented in early 2025. On January 29, 2025, President Trump signed the Laken Riley Act into law. This legislation requires federal detention of undocumented immigrants accused of specific crimes, including theft, burglary, and assaulting law enforcement officers. Consequently, the act has prompted many states and communities to rethink their policies on working with ICE.

In Nevada, some agencies expanded their cooperation with ICE in response to the Laken Riley Act. For instance, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) announced new measures in February 2025, mandating that certain arrests—such as for violent felonies or domestic violence—be reported to ICE. However, levels of collaboration vary widely across the state.

Varying Policies in Nevada

While Douglas County has embraced its partnership with ICE, other Nevada law enforcement agencies have either implemented limited forms of cooperation or kept a strong distance from direct involvement.

Reno Police Department (RPD): The RPD has stated that it will not physically detain undocumented individuals and generally limits its role to safety-related tasks, like providing road closures during ICE operations.
Washoe County Sheriff’s Office: This office, under Sheriff Darin Balaam, has emphasized supporting ICE only when necessary for public safety. However, they avoid questioning the immigration status of victims or witnesses.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department: LVMPD, under new policies, requires that ICE be notified when foreign nationals are arrested for specific crimes, such as DUIs or violent offenses. Notably, they have also reiterated opposition to widespread deportation efforts.
Carson City Sheriff’s Office: Sheriff Ken Furlong has publicly stated that while federal requests are reviewed case by case, no changes have been made to the existing relationship with ICE as of early 2025.

No statewide Nevada law enforcement agency has entered into formal agreements with ICE, making Nevada stand out compared to some neighboring states like Florida 🇺🇸 and Kansas 🇺🇸, which have statewide deals in place.

Impacts of the Task Force Model

Douglas County’s agreement under the task force model raises questions about its broader impact, both locally and nationally. The authority granted to deputies under this model is significant, as it allows street-level interrogations and holds potential for individuals to be taken directly into ICE’s custody.

Key Implications Include:

Inconsistent Enforcement: With only Douglas County engaging in this type of collaboration, immigration enforcement outcomes may vary from one Nevada county to another. This could lead to unequal treatment for undocumented individuals living within the state.
Community Concerns: Agencies that limit their ICE involvement often do so to maintain trust with immigrant communities. For example, officials in some jurisdictions argue that preserving this trust encourages individuals to report crimes and cooperate as witnesses without fear of deportation.
Legal and Civil Rights Issues: The street-level authority under the task force model could lead to legal challenges. Critics have expressed concerns about potential civil rights violations, especially if racial profiling occurs during immigration status investigations.
Resource Demands: Immigration enforcement requires time and resources, potentially diverting local law enforcement from other pressing responsibilities like crime prevention and public safety duties.

Trends and Future Changes

The collaboration between local law enforcement in Nevada and ICE is evolving rapidly, with several recent developments and possible future changes shaping the landscape.

Adaptation to the Laken Riley Act: Changes required under this new law are unfolding across Nevada, with some agencies actively reevaluating their policies.
Expansion of the Task Force Model: Beyond Nevada, ICE has been quietly expanding task force agreements across other states. Douglas County’s participation raises the possibility of additional Nevada cities or counties signing on in the future.
Education and Immigration Enforcement: State lawmakers in Nevada are considering steps to make it permanent that ICE cannot enter school grounds without a judge-approved warrant. Such efforts reflect an ongoing tension between federal enforcement efforts and local priorities.
Policy Reviews: Agencies like the Reno Police Department are continuously assessing their alignment with new federal and state regulations. This may lead to periodic updates in their approach to ICE cooperation.

Broader Context

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office’s partnership with ICE reflects a broader discussion on immigration enforcement’s role at the local level. Nationally, the task force model represents a shift toward increased involvement of local officers in immigration duties. However, this model has sparked debates about resource allocation, civil liberties, and the relationship between immigrant communities and law enforcement.

According to VisaVerge.com, the situation in Douglas County and across Nevada acts as a microcosm of the national immigration debate. While some jurisdictions lean into deeper collaboration with ICE, others emphasize community-oriented policing to build trust with immigrant populations.

The Path Ahead for Nevada

As federal policies evolve under the Laken Riley Act, Nevada agencies will continue to face critical choices about their cooperation with ICE. Whether through task force model agreements like those in Douglas County or through more restrictive measures like those in Washoe County, these decisions will shape the experiences of immigrants and the responsibilities of law enforcement alike. For now, Nevada’s mixed approach to ICE cooperation highlights the complexities of balancing federal immigration goals with local community needs. Further developments in policy and law will undoubtedly affect how these dynamics unfold in the months and years ahead.

For detailed information on ICE programs, including the 287(g) program, you can visit the official ICE website: ICE 287(g) Program.

Learn Today

287(g) Program → A federal initiative allowing local law enforcement to partner with ICE, delegating specific immigration enforcement tasks to officers.
Task Force Model → A method under the 287(g) program enabling street-level officers to investigate and detain individuals based on immigration status.
Laken Riley Act → A 2025 U.S. law mandating federal detention of undocumented immigrants accused of specific crimes like theft and violent offenses.
Racial Profiling → Discriminatory practice where individuals are targeted based on race or ethnicity rather than behavior or legal evidence.
Community-Oriented Policing → Law enforcement approach focusing on trust, collaboration, and problem-solving with local communities to enhance public safety.

This Article in a Nutshell

Nevada’s ICE Divide

As of February 2025, Douglas County uniquely partners with ICE through the 287(g) task force model, enabling deputies to enforce immigration laws directly. This collaboration exemplifies stark divides across Nevada, with most agencies limiting ICE involvement to maintain community trust. The debate underscores tensions between federal priorities and local law enforcement strategies.