LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — The Department of Justice removed Nevada from a list of sanctuary states after the state agreed to “fully collaborate on immigration enforcement,” according to a release.
In August, the Department of Justice listed Nevada as a sanctuary state, stating it had “policies, laws, or regulations that impede enforcement of federal immigration laws.”
That list was posted after President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14287 several months earlier in April, which directed the Department of Justice (DOJ) to publish a list of jurisdictions (states, counties, and cities) that it identified as “sanctuary jurisdictions.”
On Friday, Sept. 26, the Department of Justice announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Nevada to “fully collaborate on immigration enforcement.”
An MOU is a formal document between two or more parties that outlines terms and intentions in an agreement toward a common goal.
“Under the leadership of Governor [Joe] Lombardo, the State of Nevada is committed to addressing our nation’s immigration crisis, and in continuing to take steps to ensure Nevada does not offer sanctuary to illegal aliens,” the MOU read in part.
The DOJ said that the list that initially included Nevada has now been updated to remove the state following work between the department and the state. This is the first removal from the list since the list was published.
The MOU lists several steps Nevada has taken to collaborate on enforcement, including the use of Federal Emergency Management Agency funding to “enhance the ability” of the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department to support federal operations in Nevada. It also listed Gov. Lombardo’s authorization of the Nevada National Guard to assist with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations.
“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 said in a statement. “The State’s agreement with the Department of Justice today reaffirms our commitment to following federal immigration law in Nevada.”
The full MOU between the DOJ and Nevada can be read here.
“The Department of Justice is committed to eradicating sanctuary policies across America,” Attorney General Pamela Bondi said. “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.”
A list of sanctuary states, counties, and cities published in August can be found here.
The DOJ said the list will be reviewed regularly and adjusted to include additional jurisdictions or remove jurisdictions that have “remediated their policies, practices, and laws.”