Lombardo cracks down while Ford fights back: Nevada’s immigration showdown

By Amy Groves  

Nevada News and Views

Nevada is seeing a clear split when it comes to immigration policy.

On one side, Governor Joe Lombardo has made it clear he’s siding with law enforcement, federal law, and President Trump’s push to secure the border. On the other side, Attorney General Aaron Ford has been doing everything he can to weaken enforcement and move Nevada toward sanctuary-style policies.

Lombardo’s Actions: Pro-Enforcement and Pro-Law

From day one, Lombardo has taken steps to separate Nevada’s government from activist groups that push for amnesty and special treatment for illegal immigrants.

In 2023, he ordered the Office of New Americans to cut ties with groups like PLANevada, Make the Road Nevada, Mi Familia Vota, and even Planned Parenthood affiliates. That meant no more taxpayer-funded programs that quietly helped people in the country illegally, such as university support programs or DACA legal referrals.

By late 2024, Lombardo was openly aligning Nevada with President Trump’s federal crackdown. He signed a joint letter with other Republican governors backing tougher immigration rules.

Then, in early 2025, he worked with the Nevada Sheriffs’ and Chiefs’ Association to make sure local law enforcement was on the same page. He even encouraged counties and cities to use ICE’s 287(g) program, which allows local police to work directly with federal immigration agents.

In March 2025, he oversaw a directive making sure every non-citizen inmate in Nevada prisons would be picked up by ICE when their sentences were done. He also vetoed two bills pushed by Democrats in June; one that would have given driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants, and another that would have barred ICE from entering schools.

And Lombardo has gone further. He supported Las Vegas Metro Police rejoining ICE’s 287(g) program to keep undocumented inmates from slipping back into the community. He used FEMA funds to upgrade Washoe County’s ICE facilities and Metro’s intelligence-sharing systems. In August 2025, he even sent the Nevada National Guard to help ICE with detention and operations.

The message is clear: Nevada will enforce the law.

Ford’s Resistance: Pushing Nevada Toward Sanctuary Policies

Aaron Ford has taken the opposite path.

In February 2025, he released “Model Immigration Policies” that encouraged local governments and police to limit cooperation with ICE. While technically “non-binding,” the guidelines carried political weight and pushed Nevada toward sanctuary-style practices.

He also jumped into lawsuits against the Trump administration, arguing against tying federal funding to immigration enforcement. That means Ford was actively fighting to stop Washington from requiring states to follow immigration laws if they wanted federal dollars.

Ford has also used his office as a loudspeaker. In July 2025, he lobbied Congress to restrict federal immigration agents from wearing masks during operations. He said it was about accountability, but critics argue it was really about tying the hands of agents doing dangerous work.

Again and again, Ford has positioned himself as an obstacle to enforcing immigration laws in Nevada.

A Clear Contrast for Nevada

The contrast could not be sharper.

Governor Lombardo has worked with local sheriffs, ICE, and the Trump administration to close loopholes, stop sanctuary policies, and strengthen Nevada’s enforcement role. Attorney General Ford has worked to block those very efforts through lawsuits, public advocacy, and political pressure.

This fight affects whether dangerous criminals who are here illegally are handed over to ICE or quietly released back into the community. It affects whether schools and jails are safe spaces for law-abiding families or off-limits to immigration enforcement.

Critics of Lombardo say his policies are “too harsh” and hurt immigrant families. But supporters argue that no one is above the law, and the governor is simply making sure Nevada doesn’t become another California-style sanctuary state.

Nevadans have two very different visions in front of them.

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Amy. Groves is director of the Coalition for Housing Freedom. You can contact her at amy@nevadasfinestproperties.com.