When it comes to immigration, most Nevadans just want common sense: follow the law, protect public safety, and make sure taxpayer dollars aren’t wasted.
But Aaron Ford, Nevada’s attorney general and now Democrat candidate for governor, has a record that tells a very different story.
Back in 2017, when he was Senate Majority Leader, Ford co-sponsored a bill that would have barred state and local police from helping federal immigration authorities.
In plain terms, it was a “sanctuary state” bill.
The Nevada Independent reported that Ford pulled his support at the last minute, but by then the damage was done – his fingerprints were all over legislation designed to shield people in the country illegally from law enforcement.
Law enforcement leaders at the time strongly opposed the idea.
They warned it could cost Nevada millions in federal funding.
A fiscal note from the Department of Public Safety said as much as $6 million per budget cycle was on the line. The Division of Emergency Management warned the loss could balloon to $23 million.
In other words, Ford was ready to gamble with public safety and taxpayer money to score political points.
Sanctuary State by Another Name
Fast forward to today, and the issue is back on the table.
Earlier this month, Nevada landed on a federal list of “sanctuary states.” No explanation was given, but the timing is no accident.
Ford’s office has been pushing “model immigration policies” that tell state and local agencies how to handle immigration enforcement.
Ford says those policies are just guidelines, not mandates, and insists he doesn’t support “sanctuary for criminals.”
But actions speak louder than words.
His office has hosted “know your rights” workshops for immigrants, including those here illegally, teaching them how to avoid cooperating with law enforcement.
He’s also filed lawsuits against the Trump administration to block immigration policies, including one targeting birthright citizenship.
Critics say it’s a pattern.
Clark County Republican Party Chair Jill Douglass told The Indy that Ford “has been very clear with trying to create policy and help those who enter our country illegally.”
Lombardo Draws the Line
Governor Joe Lombardo has made it clear Nevada will not become a sanctuary state under his watch.
As a former sheriff, Lombardo says he played a role in more than 10,000 deportations.
He’s vowed to keep Nevada aligned with federal law and recently announced plans to deploy the Nevada National Guard to support federal immigration enforcement.
When the sanctuary-state list came out, Lombardo pointed the finger squarely at Ford, writing that “despite the Attorney General’s attempts to implement sanctuary policies, Nevada is not a sanctuary state.”
Ford fired back, calling Lombardo’s statement “a blatant attempt by a desperate governor to earn praise from Donald Trump.”
That kind of response says a lot. Instead of addressing the concern, Ford tried to change the subject and turn it into an attack on Trump.
This isn’t just a political back-and-forth. The consequences for Nevada are real.
Federal grant money could be cut if the sanctuary designation sticks. That’s money for law enforcement, emergency management, and public safety programs – money Nevada families rely on.
More importantly, sanctuary policies send the wrong message. They tell people breaking the law that Nevada will look the other way.
That’s not fair to legal immigrants who followed the rules, and it’s not safe for Nevada communities already struggling with crime.
Aaron Ford can deny it all he wants, but his record is clear.
He co-sponsored a sanctuary bill in 2017. He pushed policies that weaken cooperation with federal immigration authorities. He sued to block enforcement measures under President Trump.
And now, Nevada is on a federal list of sanctuary states.
Governor Lombardo has taken the opposite approach, siding with law enforcement and pledging to follow the law. The contrast couldn’t be clearer.
In the end, Nevada voters will have to decide: do they want a governor who stands with law enforcement and the rule of law – or one who puts politics ahead of public safety?
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.
