Las Vegas Police will not assist with Trump immigration ‘roundups,’ says department head
President Donald Trump’s recent return to the White House and his immediate actions to crack down on illegal immigration have sparked controversy in various law enforcement agencies across the country. One such agency, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD), has reaffirmed its stance on limiting cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and refusing to assist with federal immigration “roundups.”
Sheriff Kevin McMahill, the head of LVMPD, reiterated the department’s policy of not investigating immigration violations in a recent statement. The policy, first implemented during the Trump administration in 2019 and amended in 2023, clearly states that LVMPD officers will not enforce immigration violations. This includes refraining from stopping, questioning, detaining, arresting, or placing immigration holds on individuals based solely on their undocumented immigrant status.
The department’s policy emphasizes the importance of recognizing the dignity of all individuals, regardless of their national origin or immigration status. LVMPD is committed to community-oriented policing, focusing on building relationships with community members regardless of their immigration status.
Despite the policy of not enforcing immigration violations, LVMPD will share criminal intelligence related to transnational organized crime and international terrorism with all law enforcement agencies, including ICE. The department will also notify ICE when a foreign-born individual is arrested and charged with violent felonies, domestic violence, or driving under the influence.
However, LVMPD will not delay the release of an inmate for ICE and will release a migrant if ICE is not present at the time of the inmate’s release. Sheriff McMahill made it clear in an interview that his officers would not assist federal authorities with immigration “roundups,” stating that it is not their job and that they have more pressing matters to attend to.
ICE has expressed concerns about law enforcement agencies refusing to honor its immigration detainers, stating that it puts agents and communities at risk by requiring potentially violent confrontations and arrests in public spaces. Tom Homan, Trump’s border czar, has condemned public officials who refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities, emphasizing the importance of public safety.
In conclusion, the debate over immigration enforcement continues to be a contentious issue, with law enforcement agencies like LVMPD navigating a delicate balance between federal mandates and community trust. The evolving landscape of immigration policies under the Trump administration underscores the complexities and challenges faced by local law enforcement in upholding the law while maintaining community partnerships.
