Lombardo deploys 35 members of Nevada’s National Guard to free up police to fight crime

By Erica Neely  

Nevada News and Views

Nevadans are proud of our National Guard. These men and women are our neighbors, our coworkers, and our family members.

They step up when the state needs them — whether it’s wildfires, floods, or even running COVID test sites back in 2020.

Now, they’re stepping up again, this time to back up federal immigration officials.

What Lombardo Decided

Governor Joe Lombardo has approved sending up to 35 Nevada National Guard troops to help the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

That’s less than one percent of our Guard, which totals about 4,500 soldiers. And importantly, every single one of them volunteered.

Their job isn’t what you might picture when you think of soldiers. They won’t be patrolling the border, carrying weapons, or guarding detainees.

Instead, they’ll be handling paperwork and logistics — the kind of behind-the-scenes work that keeps the system running. We’re talking about filing reports, updating records, answering phones, and maintaining vehicles.

What Nevadans Get Out of This

Here’s why this matters: if the Guard takes care of the administrative load, law enforcement officers can stay focused on actual enforcement.

That means more cops and agents on the streets, keeping our neighborhoods safe.

In a state like Nevada, where small businesses already deal with crime and public safety issues, that’s no small thing.

And don’t forget the money side of it. This mission is under what’s called “Title 32” status.

Translation: the governor stays in charge, not Washington bureaucrats, and the federal government picks up the tab. Nevada taxpayers don’t have to pay a dime.

We’ve seen this before. During the pandemic, over 1,400 Nevada Guardsmen and women helped with testing and vaccinations.

Locals benefited, and the feds covered the cost. This is the same kind of setup, only smaller and shorter. The current deployment runs through November 15, 2025.

Nevada vs. California

It’s also worth comparing to what’s happening next door in California.

In July, President Trump sent 4,000 California National Guard troops under federal “Title 10” status to directly support immigration enforcement. That meant California’s governor didn’t have much say in how those troops were used.

Nevada’s situation is different.

Lombardo, along with Brigadier General Michael Peyerl Waters, will stay in full control of our Guard.

That local control makes a big difference to Nevadans who want state leaders, not D.C., calling the shots.

The Pushback

Some liberal politicians argue the Guard shouldn’t be anywhere near immigration enforcement, calling it “too political.”

But that misses the point.

Nevada troops aren’t out rounding people up. They’ll be at desks and motor pools, doing the paperwork that lets law enforcement focus on crime prevention and border security.

And again, they volunteered. These are our friends and family members choosing to serve, not being forced into a political fight.

The Nevada First Approach

Governor Lombardo’s move shows the balance Nevadans expect from him: practical, no-nonsense, and focused on safety.

He’s helping with a national problem, but in a way that keeps Nevada in control and taxpayers protected.

At the end of the day, this isn’t about politics in D.C. It’s about Nevada doing its part while making sure we don’t lose control of our own Guard.

That’s the kind of leadership a lot of Nevadans can get behind.

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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.