Back in 2013, then–Nevada State Senator Aaron Ford (D) co-sponsored a little bill called SB303.
Sounds boring, right? Something about driver’s licenses?
Wrong.
What Ford really did was help write a giant “Keep Out” sign for federal immigration agents trying to do their job.
And now, years later, that bill is still protecting illegal immigrants while law-abiding citizens are left wondering who their government really works for.
Here’s what the law says: It forbids the Nevada DMV from sharing any information that might hint at someone’s immigration status.
Not just the status itself, but even if they hold a special kind of license meant for folks who aren’t in the country legally.
That’s right.
If ICE wants to know whether a certain individual is in the U.S. legally, Nevada’s DMV is legally banned from telling them. Not even a hint.
Unless ICE has a court order, they’re out of luck.
Now, why would Ford want this?
According to supporters of the bill, it was about “public safety.”
The idea was that undocumented immigrants would be more likely to get driver authorization cards – basically a second-class license – if they didn’t fear getting deported.
More licensed drivers meant safer roads, they said.
Sounds sweet and noble, right?
But here’s the part they don’t talk about: Not only didn’t the bill make the roads safer, it made it easier for people who broke immigration laws to keep on driving under the radar.
Literally.
Think about it . . .
If a state DMV refuses to cooperate with immigration enforcement, what happens when ICE is tracking someone with a serious criminal record? How are they supposed to find them? Google Maps?
This kind of policy creates safe zones – not for hardworking families, but for lawbreakers who know the system is rigged in their favor.
And Ford didn’t just vote for it. He co-sponsored it. That means he helped write the rules that tie ICE’s hands.
Even The Washington Post reported back in 2020 that ICE was frustrated by states blocking access to DMV data. They called it a threat to national security.
And they weren’t talking about grandma going 5 over the speed limit – they were referring to gang members, human traffickers, and repeat offenders who just so happen to be in the country illegally.
So while Ford was helping shield people from ICE, who was protecting you?
If you’ve noticed the rise in “sanctuary” policies across the country, this is how it starts.
Bills like SB303 become laws, then years later, you find out the federal government can’t even tell who’s in the country legally because states like Nevada won’t share the data.
And the kicker? Nevada still has this law on the books. It’s still shielding immigration data from law enforcement.
Meanwhile, border towns are overrun. Fentanyl is flowing in. And we’re told the “real danger” is ICE doing its job too well.
Now, to be fair, some people think protecting immigrant privacy helps build trust between communities and police. They worry that if undocumented folks fear getting caught, they won’t report crimes or get driver licenses.
But let’s not kid ourselves. The problem isn’t that ICE has too much power. The problem is our leaders – like Ford – keep pulling the rug out from under the people trying to enforce the law.
SB303 is the poster child for policies that sound good on paper, but quietly put Americans at risk.
This isn’t about race. It’s not about kindness. It’s about accountability.
If you’re in the country illegally, that means you broke the law. And if law enforcement agencies can’t access the data they need to uphold immigration laws, then what exactly are we enforcing?
Ford’s bill made it clear: He’d rather protect someone’s “right” to drive than ICE’s ability to protect the border.
So next time you hear him talk about “justice” or “safety,” ask him about SB303. Ask him why ICE doesn’t deserve to know what’s in our DMV files.
And ask yourself: If a law helps criminals more than citizens, what kind of law is that, really?
Sources:
- Nevada Legislature: SB303 (2013 Session), Section 1.
- NRS 481.063 – DMV confidentiality statutes.
- The Washington Post, “ICE frustrated by state DMV data bans,” Feb. 2020.
- Center for Immigration Studies, “States with Sanctuary DMV Laws,” 2021.
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.
