LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A call from Republican Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo to authorize the deployment of the Nevada Nationwide Guard to help with ICE operations led to backlash amongst some within the Las Vegas immigrant group.
“You’re preying on their patriotism, or you’re preying on younger soldiers that joined because they want to get money for school,” veteran Manuel Santamaria stated.
The workplace of the governor defined that members helping immigration enforcement have volunteered and are “demonstrating their readiness to serve.”
Santamaria, with the Nevada Immigrant Coalition (NIC), stated he believes the troopers who’ve volunteered had been possible intrigued by monetary incentives.
“There’s a lot that goes into play for people that volunteer for a mission like this,” he stated.
“They wouldn’t mind being on orders and getting paid a consistent salary with benefits, so I could understand that,” he defined. “But at the same time, it makes me feel sad that they’re willing to volunteer for this mission knowing the implications of what they’re volunteering to do.”
Lombardo to authorize Nevada Nationwide Guard to help in immigration enforcement
Of the roughly 4,500 Nevada Nationwide Guardsmen, as much as 35 will probably be devoted to this particular immigration mission. The group makes up lower than one p.c of the Nevada Nationwide Guard. The governor’s workplace referred to as the devoted members a “mere fraction.”
The members is not going to keep up a correspondence straight with detainees, however extra so targeted on logistical assist, in line with Lombardo’s workplace.
“This effort is centered on very important clerical, administrative, and logistical assist — making certain there will probably be no direct contact with detainees, no legislation enforcement duties, and no weapons concerned,” the governor’s press launch stated.
“The Nevada National Guard being used for immigration enforcement in any way is going to continue to increase fear in our community,” Democratic Meeting member for Clark County District 3 Selena Torres-Fossett informed 8 Information Now.
Some anticipated logistical duties listed embrace filling out kinds, bookkeeping, and answering calls.
Torres-Fosset informed 8 Information Now the Nevada Latino Legislative Caucus is actively reaching out to the governor’s workplace to specific their frustrations.
“Just the other day there were uniformed national guardsmen out in my community, and I had neighbors reaching out to me concerned. That’s the type of fear that’s going to continue to permeate in our community. There’s going to be distrust in law enforcement, there’s going to be distrust in our military,” she stated.
Santamaria feels the nationwide guard members’ time may very well be allotted higher.
“They could be out there handing out food at food pantries, right? They can be used for emergency things on the strip, or security for a big event or something like that. But this is not good use for the national guard,” Santamaria stated.
The task will final via Nov. 15, 2025.
As of July, the Division Of Protection requested nationwide guard help in 20 states, together with Nevada.
