ACLU Challenges Las Vegas Police-ICE Pact at Nevada Supreme Court

Civil liberties group argues Metro's immigration enforcement deal violates state law

Apr. 15, 2026 at 12:35am

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A moody, cinematic painting of a solitary police car parked on a dimly lit urban street at night, the vehicle's red and blue lights casting long shadows across the pavement, capturing a sense of quiet tension and civic unease.As tensions over immigration enforcement escalate, a new police-ICE partnership in Las Vegas raises concerns about civil liberties and the limits of local law enforcement's role.Las Vegas Today

The American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada has petitioned the state Supreme Court to review the legality of an agreement between the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Under the 287(g) program, Metro flags foreign-born inmates for ICE review and can hold them up to 48 hours past their release date. The ACLU argues Metro lacks the legal authority to enter such a deal, which it says undermines civil liberties.

Why it matters

The case highlights the ongoing tension between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities, as well as the ACLU's efforts to challenge policies that it believes violate the rights of undocumented immigrants. The outcome could set an important precedent for how local police departments in Nevada can cooperate with ICE.

The details

Under the 287(g) program, Metro jail staff are trained to process ICE warrants and hold inmates the agency wants to pick up for up to 48 additional hours after their scheduled release. The ACLU argues Metro lacks the legal authority to enter such an agreement, which it says undermines civil liberties. A district court previously dismissed the ACLU's lawsuit, but the group is now appealing to the state Supreme Court.

  • In late May 2025, Sheriff Kevin McMahill signed Metro onto the federal 287(g) program.
  • The new Metro-ICE deal went into effect in mid-December 2025.
  • Since the deal began, ICE has taken custody of at least 240 inmates from the Clark County Detention Center.

The players

ACLU of Nevada

A civil liberties organization that has petitioned the Nevada Supreme Court to review the legality of the Metro-ICE pact.

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that entered into an agreement with ICE to flag foreign-born inmates and hold them for additional time.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal immigration agency that reviews the immigration status of inmates flagged by Metro and can take custody of them.

Sergio Morais-Hechavarria

A Clark County Detention Center inmate who was held for weeks past the 48-hour detainer period and eventually deported, serving as the plaintiff in the ACLU's initial lawsuit.

Sheriff Kevin McMahill

The head of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department who signed the agency onto the federal 287(g) program in 2025.

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What they’re saying

“As promised, we will continue to pursue all challenges to ensure our local and state governments are following the law, including when local authorities unlawfully support the federal government's mass deportation efforts and undermine civil liberties in the process.”

— Athar Haseebullah, Executive Director, ACLU of Nevada

“ICE still doesn't pick up everybody that is eligible, that they've said that they wanted to come get from my jail.”

— Sheriff Kevin McMahill

What’s next

The Nevada Supreme Court has not yet docketed the ACLU's petition for review. If the court agrees to hear the case, it will determine whether the Metro-ICE agreement conforms with state law.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing legal battles over the role of local law enforcement in federal immigration enforcement, as civil liberties groups seek to limit the ability of police to cooperate with ICE and undermine the rights of undocumented immigrants.