Metro Explains 287(G) Immigration Program at Clark County Detention Center

Las Vegas police address misconceptions about their partnership with ICE under the federal program.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 1:54am

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A realistic painting of the exterior of a large, institutional-looking building with a plain facade, windows, and a small entryway, bathed in warm, golden light from one side and deep shadows on the other, evoking a sense of quiet contemplation about the role of this facility in immigration enforcement.The Clark County Detention Center, where Las Vegas Metro Police carry out their 287(G) immigration enforcement program, stands as a somber reminder of the complex intersection between local law enforcement and federal immigration policies.Las Vegas Today

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department opened the doors of the Clark County Detention Center to provide a look at how their 287(G) immigration program operates. Metro officials stated the detention center is the only place where they partner with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under this federal program, and emphasized that the notification to ICE only happens after an arrest is processed, not during street patrols.

Why it matters

The 287(G) program has been a controversial topic, with critics arguing that even a jail-based partnership can have ripple effects outside the facility and disrupt an individual's due process rights. Metro aimed to address common misconceptions about how the program is implemented in their jurisdiction.

The details

During the booking process at the detention center, if a person is determined to be foreign-born, the records department notifies ICE via email. Metro stated that 25 corrections officers are trained and certified to serve ICE warrants, but this is on a volunteer basis with no incentives. They also noted that they give ICE 24-48 hours to pick up an offender before their release.

  • The 287(G) program has been around for decades but its use has expanded at different points over time, particularly under the Trump administration.

The players

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that operates the Clark County Detention Center and partners with ICE under the 287(G) program.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal agency that partners with local law enforcement under the 287(G) program to identify and detain undocumented immigrants.

Michael Kagan

The director of the UNLV Immigration Clinic, who expressed concerns that the 287(G) program can disrupt an individual's due process rights.

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What they’re saying

“There is no collaboration with ICE when it comes to officers patrolling on the streets. The only officers for Metro that are certified to serve these warrants from ICE are corrections staff.”

— Sgt. Karina De Lara, Metro Police Officer

“That we segregate or we separate those people, that's a common misconception, and that is not the actual way things are done within this facility.”

— Sgt. Karina De Lara, Metro Police Officer

“It can also disrupt someone's ability to have their day in court, emphasizing that everyone, regardless of status, has the right to due process.”

— Michael Kagan, Director of the UNLV Immigration Clinic

What’s next

Metro stated they give ICE 24-48 hours to pick up an offender before their release from the detention center, indicating that this is a key timeline to monitor going forward.

The takeaway

The 287(G) program remains a controversial topic, with concerns that even a jail-based partnership can have broader impacts on immigrant communities and their due process rights. Metro's explanation of their specific implementation aims to address misconceptions, but the program's broader effects continue to be debated.