Cancellation Announcement

The Nevada Immigrant Coalition has announced the cancellation of its annual Immigrant Lobby Day at the Nevada Legislature, a decision triggered by increased immigration enforcement activities in Northern Nevada. This marks the first occasion, outside of the pandemic, since 2011 that such an event will not take place during the legislative session, according to coalition member Laura Martin.

Impact on Nevada’s Workforce

As reported by the Pew Research Center, nearly 10% of Nevada’s workforce is undocumented, underscoring the importance of advocacy for this demographic. The canceled event was originally scheduled for next Tuesday.

Reactions from Coalition Members

Martin expressed concern over the implications of the cancellation, stating, “The cancellation is a stark consequence of how Trump’s anti-immigrant agenda continues to sow fear, disrupt our economy, and undermine democracy.”

Leo Murrieta, another member of the coalition and executive director of Make the Road Nevada, described a recent increase in enforcement actions, stating that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has deployed plainclothes officers in unmarked vehicles in the region. Recent reports indicate that over 30 individuals were arrested by federal agents, all of whom reportedly had prior criminal convictions.

Concerns Over Community Access and Rights

Murrieta criticized these operations, asserting that they create a “chilling effect that is keeping immigrant families from safely accessing their own elected representatives to share their stories.” He characterized the enforcement actions as “state-sanctioned terror” and urged Republican Governor Joe Lombardo and state representatives to protect the due process rights of individuals, calling for transparency regarding the number of Nevadans detained by immigration enforcement.

Call for Transparency from ICE

Advocates emphasized that the surge in immigration enforcement was noted in late March, yet ICE has not provided specific information concerning these operations. A spokesperson for the agency previously stated that they would release information when available.