A viral social media post depicting what appears to be Immigration adn Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in the eastern Las Vegas Valley has sparked concern among community leaders and immigration advocates. The video, circulating on Facebook, shows two federal agents interacting with a driver near Washington Avenue and Mojave Road.Authorities are currently investigating whether any arrests were made during the incident.

Community Response and Concerns

The nevada immigrant Coalition and other community groups convened a virtual meeting Friday to address confirmed reports of increased immigration enforcement in the Las Vegas Valley. These groups are urging community members to be aware of their rights during encounters with law enforcement.

This week, plain clothes officials and unmarked cars have been increasing anxiety with the community.

Bethany Khan, Culinary Union

The nevada Immigrant Coalition has documented approximately a dozen immigration enforcement incidents in Southern Nevada as Sunday, raising concerns about targeted detentions.

Specific Incidents Reported

• sunday: Enforcement activity at a residence near Nellis Air force Base and Stewart Avenue.
• Sunday: Activity at a local business on Sunset Road.
• monday: Activity near Decatur Boulevard.
• Targeted detention of a legal permanent resident.
• Incidents near Bonanza Road and 10th Street.
• activity at an indoor swap meet near Owens Avenue and Eastern Avenue.
• Two incidents involving detentions before and after school drop-offs.

Targeted Detentions and Legal Perspectives

Martha Menendez, a local immigration attorney, noted that the recent detentions appear to be targeted, rather than part of large-scale raids. She emphasized the importance of understanding the nature of these operations.

One thing we have seen is that these detentions seem to be targeted. so, we have not yet seen any big raids, which is something that we were afraid of and still remain afraid of, that could still happen. So, the officers conducting this, or what we’ve heard, is that they are showing up with orders of detention, not just picking up peopel collaterally.

Martha menendez, Immigration Attorney

News outlets contacted ICE and the FBI Las Vegas field office for clarification on the detainments and whether warrants were involved. The FBI Las Vegas referred inquiries to ICE and shared a national FBI social media post indicating support for immigration enforcement efforts.

Warrant Requirements and Enforcement Tactics

to enter a private residence,ICE is generally required to have a judicial warrant. However, agencies may employ option tactics to conduct enforcement actions.

What we’ve been seeing more of is Immigrations and Customs Enforcement Officers waiting outside of someone’s residence for them to leave, they’ll often wait in unmarked vans, unmarked vehicles, and attempt to engage in in sort of like an immediate action thereafter when somebody’s in a public space, versus actually attempting to enter into someone’s home.

Athar Haseebullah,ACLU of Nevada

The ACLU of Nevada highlights that ICE officers often wait outside residences in unmarked vehicles to engage individuals in public spaces,circumventing the need for a warrant to enter a home.

Lack of Transparency and Potential Reasons for Increased Enforcement

Organizations express concern over the lack of transparency surrounding the recent surge in immigration enforcement activities in Southern Nevada.

The Department of Homeland Security has picked specific communities to engage in enhanced enforcement at different periods. The rationale is not clear for how they end up selecting. But what we do know is that these types of targeted surge activities have been happening nationwide.Houston was the last one I’m aware of.

Athar Haseebullah, ACLU of nevada

The reasons behind the selection of specific communities for enhanced enforcement remain unclear, but similar operations have occurred nationwide.The current enforcement activities are expected to continue at least through Sunday.

I think the biggest fear right now is that we don’t actually know which agencies are being deputized to act as ICE officers and detain people on ICE orders.

Martha menendez, Immigration Attorney

Data Availability and Official Responses

While ICE maintains a database of enforcement statistics by region, the most recent available data is limited to December 2024. News outlets have reached out to governor Joe Lombardo’s office for comment and are awaiting a response. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (Metro) has reiterated that it is indeed not involved in any ICE campaigns targeting undocumented individuals,as per department policy.