Courts Order Nevada DMV to Release Details on ICE Communication

ACLU lawsuit leads to ruling requiring DMV to turn over records of conversations with immigration authorities.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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A federal court has ordered the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles to release communication records with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) sued the DMV over redacted documents. The ACLU argued the DMV's use of encrypted messaging apps like Signal to communicate with ICE violated state public records laws.

Why it matters

This case highlights concerns over government agencies potentially sharing personal data with federal immigration authorities, even in states that have laws restricting such information sharing. The ruling could set a precedent for greater transparency around communication between state agencies and ICE.

The details

The ACLU of Nevada first requested records from the DMV on its communication with ICE in February 2025. After receiving heavily redacted documents, the ACLU sued, arguing the DMV's use of encrypted messaging apps like Signal to chat with ICE employees violated Nevada's public records law. A federal judge has now ordered the DMV to turn over the full communication records to the court within five days.

  • The ACLU first requested the records in February 2025.
  • The ACLU filed the lawsuit against the DMV in August 2025.
  • On February 6, 2026, a judge ordered the DMV to turn over the records within 5 days.

The players

ACLU of Nevada

A civil liberties organization that sued the Nevada DMV over its communication with ICE.

Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)

The state agency that was ordered by the court to release its communication records with ICE.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal immigration enforcement agency that the Nevada DMV was communicating with, according to the ACLU lawsuit.

Athar Haseebullah

The executive director of the ACLU of Nevada.

Aaron Ford

The Nevada Attorney General.

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What they’re saying

“Data should not be disclosed unlawfully, and the government should always be required to comply with the law. Sharing that information with ICE, or with anyone else, creates serious issues in terms of data maintenance and the privacy that everybody in the state holds.”

— Athar Haseebullah, Executive Director, ACLU of Nevada (The Center Square)

“We're seeking civil penalties as well against the DMV for willfully failing to turn over these records, which is what they did here.”

— Athar Haseebullah, Executive Director, ACLU of Nevada (The Center Square)

What’s next

The ACLU expects to receive the full communication records from the Nevada DMV sometime this week, after the court-ordered deadline. The ACLU is also seeking civil penalties against the DMV for initially withholding the records.

The takeaway

This case highlights ongoing tensions between state and federal agencies over data privacy and immigration enforcement. The ruling could set an important precedent for government transparency around communication between state and federal authorities, especially on sensitive issues like immigration.