Las Vegas police refuse to assist in Trump’s immigration crackdown, sparking debate on local law enforcement’s role in federal policies.
Quick Takes
- Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department won’t participate in immigration “roundups”
- Sheriff Kevin McMahill emphasizes community-oriented policing over federal immigration enforcement
- Trump administration threatens legal action against non-cooperative local agencies
- LVMPD will share intelligence on violent crimes but won’t detain individuals solely for immigration status
- Debate intensifies over the role of local law enforcement in federal immigration policies
Las Vegas Police Draw the Line on Immigration Enforcement
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) has taken a firm stance against participating in federal immigration enforcement operations, despite mounting pressure from the Trump administration. Sheriff Kevin McMahill has made it clear that his officers will not assist in what he refers to as illegal immigrant “roundups,” citing that such activities fall outside the scope of their duties.
This decision aligns with a policy first implemented in 2019 and amended in 2023, which explicitly states that LVMPD officers will not enforce immigration violations or detain individuals solely based on their undocumented status. The department’s focus remains on community-oriented policing, prioritizing the building of relationships with all community members, regardless of their immigration status.
— Shaneⓧ🟧🦇🟦 (@ShaneAChristie) September 1, 2024
Trump Administration’s Push for Local Involvement
The Trump administration has been pushing for increased involvement of local law enforcement in federal immigration matters. This effort includes initiating mass deportations and conducting what ICE Acting Director Tom Homan calls “targeted enforcement operations.” The administration has gone as far as declaring a national emergency at the border and removing protections that previously limited immigration enforcement in sensitive areas.
“That’s not my job; I have too much to do”
However, Las Vegas is not alone in its resistance. Police departments across the country, including those in Chicago, Omaha, and Stockton, have stated they will not assist in immigration enforcement without a reported crime. This widespread reluctance poses a significant challenge to the federal government’s efforts, as local cooperation is crucial for conducting mass deportations effectively and efficiently.
Legal Threats and Criticism
The Trump administration has not taken this resistance lightly. Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove issued a memo threatening to investigate and prosecute local efforts that obstruct federal immigration policies. The memo emphasizes that federal law prohibits state and local actors from resisting or failing to comply with lawful immigration-related commands and requests.
“When you release a public safety threat back into the community, that puts the community at great risk of crime, and it puts our officers at great risk. Now, they’ve got to arrest the bad guy on his turf, where he has access to who knows what weapons, and it puts the public at risk” – Source
ICE has been vocal in its criticism of law enforcement agencies that refuse to honor immigration detainers, arguing that such actions endanger communities and their agents. Tom Homan, Trump’s border czar, has been particularly critical of sanctuary cities, emphasizing the importance of a secure border in saving lives and reducing crime.
LVMPD’s Balanced Approach
While the LVMPD maintains its position on not participating in broad immigration operations, it does have protocols in place for specific situations. The department will share criminal intelligence with law enforcement agencies, including ICE, regarding transnational organized crime and international terrorism. Additionally, LVMPD will notify ICE when a foreign-born individual is arrested for violent felonies, domestic violence, or DUI, although they will not delay the individual’s release for ICE.
Sheriff McMahill has expressed hope for a bipartisan effort to secure the border but remains committed to the current policy. This approach attempts to strike a balance between community trust and cooperation with federal authorities on serious criminal matters, while avoiding direct involvement in immigration enforcement.
As the debate over local law enforcement’s role in federal immigration policies continues, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department’s stance serves as a notable example of the complex interplay between local policing priorities and national immigration policies.
Sources:
- Trump’s immigration crackdown met with defiance from local police
- ‘Not my job’: Sheriff vows Las Vegas Police will not assist with Trump’s illegal immigration ’roundups’
