LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The City of Las Vegas says it will no longer detain people on federal immigration holds.
Thursday's announcement by the city comes one day after the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department made the same announcement, suspending what's known as the 287(g) program.
"We'd like to remind the public that our city jail is for misdemeanors only," the city said.
Our City Attorney has determined that we will also suspend our 287(g) agreement with ICE and will not detain inmates on federal immigration holds due to a California court ruling.
— City of Las Vegas (@CityOfLasVegas) October 24, 2019
We'd like to remind the public that our city jail is for misdemeanors only. https://t.co/uRVMRbznDc
The 287(g) program is a partnership between state and local law enforcement agencies and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
RELATED: Sheriff: Suspension of immigration hold program will not affect ability to fight violent crime
On Sept. 27, a ruling by a federal judge in California determined that ICE is prohibited from making state and local law enforcement agencies hold detainees if the state does not have a statute explicitly authorizing civil immigration arrests on detainers. Nevada has no such statute.
LVMPD notified ICE on Oct. 22 that it was suspending their agreement with ICE.
“I am optimistic that this change will not hinder LVMPD’s ability to fight violent crime” said Sheriff Joseph Lombardo.
“While the ruling can be seen as a setback, I am determined that through cooperation with our federal partners the goal of removing the worst of the worst can still be accomplished.”
