ACLU Challenges Las Vegas Police-ICE Pact

Civil rights group seeks Nevada Supreme Court review of controversial cooperation agreement.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 1:57am

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A realistic oil painting depicting a lone police car parked on a shadowy urban street, with warm sunlight casting dramatic diagonal shadows across the scene, conveying a sense of quiet tension and unease.A tense standoff between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities raises concerns over civil liberties in one Nevada city.Las Vegas Today

The American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada has filed a petition with the state's Supreme Court, requesting a review of the legality of an agreement between the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) authorities.

Why it matters

The ACLU argues the pact between local law enforcement and federal immigration officials raises concerns about civil liberties and the potential for racial profiling and unlawful detentions of undocumented immigrants in the Las Vegas area.

The details

The agreement in question allows Las Vegas police officers to act as immigration agents, granting them the authority to inquire about immigration status and detain individuals on behalf of ICE. The ACLU claims this arrangement violates state laws and the U.S. Constitution's protections against unreasonable search and seizure.

  • The ACLU filed the petition with the Nevada Supreme Court on April 15, 2026.

The players

ACLU of Nevada

A state chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, a nationwide nonprofit organization dedicated to defending civil rights and civil liberties.

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department

The local law enforcement agency serving the city of Las Vegas and Clark County, Nevada.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

A federal law enforcement agency under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, responsible for enforcing immigration laws.

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What they’re saying

“This pact between local police and federal immigration authorities is a clear violation of civil rights and will lead to the unlawful detention of innocent people in our community.”

— Athar Haseebullah, Executive Director, ACLU of Nevada

What’s next

The Nevada Supreme Court will review the ACLU's petition and determine whether to hear the case challenging the legality of the Las Vegas police-ICE cooperation agreement.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between local law enforcement, federal immigration authorities, and civil rights groups over the boundaries of cooperation and the potential for such arrangements to infringe on the constitutional rights of immigrant communities.