Nevada’s National Guard may soon be called in to help Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) track down and remove dangerous criminals who are in the country illegally.
The Trump administration has officially authorized our state’s Guard to assist federal immigration enforcement.
Now it’s up to Governor Joe Lombardo to give the green light.
If he says yes, it would be a big step beyond what the Guard usually does here in Nevada – like helping during wildfires, floods, or overseas military missions.
Why This Matters for Nevada
We’ve got an estimated 200,000 people living in Nevada without legal status.
While most aren’t causing trouble, there’s no denying that violent criminals, gang members, and even people with ties to terrorism are slipping through the cracks.
President Trump’s position is simple: local and federal agencies should work together to find and deport those dangerous individuals.
And the National Guard is uniquely equipped to help.
This isn’t just about boots on the ground arresting people.
Under what’s called “Title 32” authority, Guard members would stay under the governor’s control but be paid by the federal government.
That means the cost wouldn’t fall on Nevada taxpayers.
What the Guard Would Actually Do
The Pentagon has explained that Guard troops in this role would handle jobs like case management, transportation, logistical support, and clerical work at ICE detention facilities.
Why is that important?
Because if Guard members handle the paperwork, transport, and processing, ICE agents can spend more time doing the actual law enforcement – finding, arresting, and removing criminals.
Idaho just announced it’s sending 14 Guard members for this exact reason. They’ll be federally funded, and they’ll help free up ICE officers to get dangerous people off the streets.
Lombardo’s Past Stance
Governor Lombardo signed onto a joint statement with other Republican governors back in December, saying they were “fully committed to supporting the Trump Administration’s efforts to deport dangerous criminals, gang members, and terrorists.”
At the time, he was cautious about making promises before knowing the details.
Now, the details are here, and the decision is in his hands.
In the past, he has turned down immigration-related Guard missions, such as sending troops to the southern border in 2024, citing the high cost.
But with this plan, the federal government would cover the bill.
The Bigger Picture
This move comes as immigration arrests in Nevada have shot up more than 300 percent compared to the same period last year.
Earlier this week, the federal government even labeled the entire state a “sanctuary state,” which could put millions of dollars in federal funding at risk.
President Trump has made it clear that sanctuary policies – where local officials refuse to cooperate with federal immigration laws – won’t be tolerated.
His recent executive order instructs agencies to use every legal tool available to bring states into compliance.
Critics argue that using the Guard in immigration enforcement could strain relations with immigrant communities and divert the Guard from its disaster-response role.
Supporters point out that the Guard is made up of highly trained men and women who can take on a wide range of assignments – and that keeping violent criminals off the streets is one of the most important jobs there is.
Nevada’s Guard: Ready to Serve
Our National Guard has about 4,500 members – 3,300 soldiers and 1,200 airmen.
Most serve part-time, training one weekend a month and two weeks a year, but they’re ready to be activated whenever the state or country needs them.
These are our neighbors, friends, and family members. They’ve stepped up for fires, floods, and even overseas deployments.
Helping ICE protect Nevadans from dangerous criminals would just be another way they serve the state.
The bottom line: the Trump administration has opened the door for Nevada to join other states in using the Guard to strengthen immigration enforcement.
Now it’s up to Governor Lombardo to walk through it.
For Nevadans who believe in the rule of law and the importance of public safety, it’s a chance to put the full weight of our state’s resources behind the mission of keeping our communities safe.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
UPDATE: 5:03 PM | 8/8/25: The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports that “Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo is in the process of authorizing the Nevada National Guard to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement, his spokesperson confirmed Friday afternoon.
“Elizabeth Ray, the governor’s spokesperson, told the Las Vegas Review-Journal that the Nevada National Guard will assist in a temporary, administrative capacity. Its deployment also will be fully federally funded.”
