Ford pushes sanctuary state policies, Lombardo says “not on my watch”

By Erica Neely  

Nevada News and Views

When it comes to immigration, Nevada has two very different leaders pulling in opposite directions.

Governor Joe Lombardo has shown steady, responsible leadership to keep our state safe.

Meanwhile, Attorney General Aaron Ford has spent more time playing politics and pushing “model policies” that undermine the rule of law and misrepresent the facts.

Since taking office, Governor Lombardo has made it clear that Nevada will not be a sanctuary state.

Back in September 2023, he ordered the Office of New Americans to cut ties with partisan groups pushing open-border agendas. He redirected the office toward service to those who come here legally and want to contribute.

Fast forward to 2024.

Lombardo joined other Republican governors in signing a letter supporting President Trump’s immigration agenda, stating clearly that illegal immigration is a threat to our communities.

In 2025, his actions picked up speed.

Lombardo partnered with Nevada sheriffs and police chiefs to make sure they were working with federal immigration authorities under the 287(g) program.

He backed the Department of Corrections when it issued strict procedures to screen offenders for immigration status and transfer them directly to ICE.

This ended the days when criminals slipped through the cracks.

He also vetoed two bad bills from the Legislature:

—AB140, which would have given driver’s licenses to people here illegally.

—AB217, which would have turned schools into sanctuary zones by blocking ICE from stepping onto campuses.

Both vetoes showed Lombardo’s commitment to common sense: protecting public safety and respecting federal law.

And when the Justice Department wrongly labeled Nevada a “sanctuary state,” Lombardo didn’t hesitate to fight back.

He rallied sheriffs, clarified Nevada’s compliance with federal law, and made sure the DMV reaffirmed that only legal residents are eligible for licenses.

Most recently, Lombardo deployed the Nevada National Guard to assist ICE operations, making sure state resources are used to back up law enforcement, not tie their hands.

Compare that to Attorney General Aaron Ford.

In February 2025, Ford released so-called “Model Immigration Policies” that discouraged state and local law enforcement from helping federal agents.

Lombardo immediately rebuked him, pointing out that Ford has no authority to turn Nevada into a sanctuary state.

Then in May, Ford signed onto a lawsuit attacking the Trump administration’s ability to tie federal funding to immigration enforcement.

Instead of siding with Nevadans who want safer streets, Ford chose to fight against the very policies that keep violent criminals off them.

Ford has also wasted time on symbolic fights — like pushing Congress to restrict federal agents from wearing masks during operations — while ignoring the bigger issue of illegal immigration straining Nevada’s schools, hospitals, and law enforcement.

Ford often tries to paint immigration enforcement as harsh or unfair, but that’s simply not true.

What’s unfair is asking Nevada taxpayers to foot the bill for people who broke the law to get here.

What’s unfair is letting violent offenders slip through cracks in the system because Democrat politicians like Ford — including Sen. Fabian Doñate and Assemblywomen Selena Torres and Cecelia Gonzalez — refuse to cooperate with ICE.

Lombardo, by contrast, has been clear and consistent: Nevada will follow federal law.

He’s worked with sheriffs, police, corrections officers, and even deployed the National Guard to make sure our state doesn’t become a magnet for lawlessness.

Nevadans deserve leaders who put public safety above politics.

Governor Lombardo has proven he’s willing to take tough but reasonable steps to secure our communities.

Attorney General Ford, on the other hand, has shown he’s more interested in posturing and pushing policies that weaken enforcement.

The choice is clear.

Lombardo is standing up for the rule of law, for safe neighborhoods, and for Nevadans who play by the rules. Ford is standing in the way.

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Erica Neely is a grassroots advocate, small business owner, director, community leader, and founder of the Hispanic Latin Alliance. Deeply rooted in family values, she is passionate about empowering her community and driving meaningful change.