By now you’ve probably heard the rumbling about immigration policies in Nevada. At the center of the dust-up are Governor Joe Lombardo and Attorney General Aaron Ford.
If you’re wondering who’s standing up for common sense and who’s trying to turn Nevada into California Jr., let’s break it down.
Background: What’s This All About?
Back in 2021, when Democrats ran the show, they passed a law called AB376. It told the attorney general (at the time, Aaron Ford) to whip up some “model” immigration policies for law enforcement, courts, schools, and hospitals.
These policies were supposed to be “suggestions,” not rules.
Fast forward to today: Ford released a 72-page playbook that, surprise-surprise, leans heavily toward letting illegal immigrants off the hook unless they’re caught committing a violent crime or something huge like terrorism.
Governor Lombardo, being the straight shooter he is, isn’t buying it. He’s made it clear: Nevada follows federal law. Period.
Ford’s View: Let’s Play Nice
Ford says his policies are about “public safety” and “fiscal responsibility.”
Translation? He wants cops focused only on local crime and says it’s the feds’ job to chase down illegal immigrants.
Oh, and he promises this isn’t about making Nevada a “sanctuary state.”
Sounds nice, but when you tell cops not to call ICE unless it’s a violent crime, you’re basically rolling out the welcome mat for illegal immigrants.
Groups like the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) aren’t fooled. They’ve called this out as a backdoor “sanctuary” policy.
Lombardo’s View: Law and Order First
Joe Lombardo, a former sheriff who’s seen the real-world mess illegal immigration causes, isn’t playing games.
He said, “The Attorney General does not have the authority to make Nevada a sanctuary state or jurisdiction. As long as I am Governor, Nevada will continue to follow federal law.”
Boom. That’s the kind of plain talk we need.
Lombardo knows that if local law enforcement doesn’t work with federal immigration agents, more criminals slip through the cracks.
That means more danger for Nevada families. He’s not about to gamble with our safety just to score political points.
What’s Really Going On Here?
Ford’s playing politics. He’s gearing up to run against Lombardo in 2026.
And like a lot of Democrats these days, he thinks cozying up to illegal immigrants is the way to rally his base.
But folks in Nevada aren’t buying it.
A poll by Pew Research shows that 68% of Americans want stronger immigration enforcement — not weaker.
And there’s a real risk here. States that push “sanctuary” policies, even under a nice-sounding name, have faced lawsuits and lost federal funding before.
Just ask New York.
Real-World Example: A Broken Fence
Think about it like this: You’ve got a fence around your yard. It’s not perfect, but it keeps the bad guys out.
Now imagine your neighbor says, “Hey, let’s just leave the gate open unless someone looks really dangerous.”
Sounds crazy, right? Well, that’s Ford’s plan for Nevada.
Lombardo is basically saying, “Nope. We’re keeping the gate closed. We’re going to fix the fence. And if someone breaks in, we’re calling the cops — every time.”
The Stakes Are High
Nevada is home to nearly 200,000 undocumented immigrants. That’s a big chunk of people living outside the law.
And while most are just trying to get by, even a few bad apples can cause big problems.
Lombardo knows that. That’s why he’s siding with law enforcement, safety, and good old-fashioned common sense.
Ford? He’s siding with the political elites and activists who think following the law is somehow “mean.”
Bottom Line
Governor Lombardo is fighting to keep Nevada safe and law-abiding.
He’s standing with working folks who just want their neighborhoods secure and their kids safe.
Aaron Ford, meanwhile, is playing word games and setting the stage for Nevada to quietly drift into sanctuary territory.
Common sense says we back the guy who locks the gate and calls the sheriff — not the one who shrugs and says, “Not my problem.”
Come 2026, voters will get to decide whose side they’re on. But if you ask me, Lombardo’s already shown he’s the man for the job.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
