Department of Justice Signs Agreement With Nevada on Immigration Enforcement

The state of Nevada and the Department of Justice (DOJ) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on immigration enforcement more than a month after the DOJ listed Nevada as a sanctuary state. After discussions with Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo (R) and the signing of the MOU, the DOJ will no longer designate Nevada as a sanctuary state.

“The Department of Justice is committed to eradicating sanctuary policies across America. 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,” said the DOJ in a released statement.

Per the agreement (see below), Nevada will comply with federal immigration law, continue to use the Nevada National Guard to administratively assist with immigration enforcement, and use FEMA funds to assist in immigration operations.

The agreement highlights Lombardo’s legislation to combat fentanyl trafficking that failed to pass in the Democrat-controlled state legislature; and, Lombardo’s veto of Assembly Bill 217, introduced by Democrat Assemblywoman Cecelia Gonzalez that, according to Lombardo, “would effectively make school grounds permanent sanctuary zones.”

The agreement also wades into a heated gubernatorial campaign between Governor Lombardo and his likely challenger Attorney General Aaron Ford (D).

“Nevada Revised Statutes (“NRS”) NRS 228.206 and 228.208 require the Nevada Attorney General to draft model policies regarding public employee’s obligations when interacting with federal immigration enforcement authorities. The Nevada Attorney General exercised his constitutional independence from the Governor to issue those policies without any direct input from the Governor’s Office. The Nevada Attorney General’s non-binding Model Immigration Policies were issued on February 24, 2025, and did not align with the Governor’s directions because they indicated state and local law enforcement should not support federal immigration activities. Just two days after the Nevada Attorney General released those Model Immigration Policies, the Governor released the following statement:

“Let me be clear: The Attorney General does not have the authority to make Nevada a sanctuary state or jurisdiction. As long as I am Governor, Nevada will continue to follow federal law.”

Last November, AG Ford announced his office “will be a bulwark” against any effort by the Trump administration “to impose unconstitutional mandates, override our system of checks and balances, or intrude upon the rights of any Nevada resident.” His office released two “Know Your Rights” documents to inform legal and illegal immigrants and their employers of their legal rights and joined Know Your Rights seminars held by the ACLU and left-of-center nonprofits.

In 2017 as a state legislator, Ford co-sponsored Senate Bill 223 which would have “restricted law enforcement from performing certain actions relating to immigration enforcement.” In a statement posted on X, Ford contends he “has never supported sanctuary for criminals.”

“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,” said Governor Joe Lombardo. “The State’s agreement with the Department of Justice today reaffirms our commitment to following federal immigration law in Nevada.”

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You can read the full memorandum here.