DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. – As the new Trump Administration announced a crackdown on illegal immigration, stories spread about ICE (U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement) doing sweeps through communities across the country. Many law enforcement agencies have said they will not assist ICE is doing raids, or sweeps. ICE has even said they do no conduct sweeps or raids that target aliens indiscriminately, and the agency “prioritizes public and national security threats, but they are conducting targeted immigration enforcement operations.”

Last week, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) signed two 287g agreements with ICE, something that has drawn concern due to their description. DCSO is the only Nevada agency to sign the agreements, a Task Force Model, and Warrant Service Officer. According to the ICE website, the agreements authorize ICE to delegate to state and local law enforcement officers the authority to perform specified immigration officer functions under the agency’s direction and oversight. Douglas County does not have the third type of agreement, the Jail Enforcement Model. This one is designed to identify and process removable aliens — with criminal or pending criminal charges — who are arrested by state or local law enforcement agencies.

The “Task Force Model” serves as a force multiplier for law enforcement agencies to enforce limited immigration authority with ICE oversight during their routine police duties. The “Warrant Service Officer” program allows ICE to train, certify and authorize state and local law enforcement officers to serve and execute administrative warrants on aliens in their agency’s jail.  Many opponents of the agreements, especially the Task Force Model, say it is problematic, erodes community trust, and increases the likelihood of civil rights violations.

DCSO Sheriff Dan Coverley said his department “has and will continue to work with ICE” but that the agreements are for training purposes only.

“The current agreement with ICE under the 287g program only applies to the Jail .” explained Coverley. “The only change in procedure with the formalized agreement is training from ICE regarding ICE detainers.  When a foreign-born subject has been arrested and booked into the Douglas County Jail, ICE will be notified.  ICE will determine whether the subject is removable from the United States, and whether to place an ICE detainer on the subject.”

Many from the local Hispanic community have expressed concern since Trump became president. Local law enforcement have said they will not participate in immigration sweeps, and DCSO will not being doing so as well.

“The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office will not conduct ‘immigration sweeps’ or contact individuals for the sole purpose of checking immigration status.
explained Coverley. “Victims and witnesses of crimes will not be questioned regarding immigration status.  The only time immigration status will be questioned is upon arrest and booking into the jail.”

Commitment to Fair Policing

It is important to note that DCSO will not:

  • Conduct immigration enforcement operations such as “immigration sweeps.”
  • Stop or question individuals solely to determine their immigration status.
  • Ask victims or witnesses of crimes about their immigration status.

Immigration status will only be reviewed during the standard booking process following an arrest.