The Legislation
A new bill in the Nevada Legislature would make it a crime for school employees to cooperate with federal immigration authorities without a court order.
Assembly Bill 217, introduced by Democratic Assemblyhuman Cecelia González, would prohibit schools from granting immigration officials access to campus or sharing student information.
What The Bill Actually Says
The legislation explicitly states that schools :
“shall not grant a United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer, or other federal official engaging in the investigation or enforcement of immigration laws, permission to access the grounds, buildings or facilities of a school district or public school without a lawful order or warrant.”
Under the proposed law, any school employee who “knowingly and willfully” shares student or family information with immigration authorities without a court order would face misdemeanor charges.
Why Now?
The bill comes as a direct response to recent changes in federal policy.
Last month, the Trump administration repealed an Obama-era policy that had restricted immigration arrests at “sensitive” locations including schools, churches, and hospitals. This change has sparked renewed concerns among immigrant communities about enforcement actions at schools.
Current School District Position
The Clark County School District (CCSD) already maintains policies protecting student privacy. The district has stated it “does not check any student’s immigration status and is not responsible for enforcing federal immigration law.” Current policy requires staff to verify the identity of any law enforcement officer visiting campus.
CCSD reaffirmed these protections last month, noting that its 2017 board resolution committing to serve all students regardless of immigration status remains in effect. The district’s police force is not responsible for enforcing federal immigration laws.
Nevada’s Unique Context
The stakes are particularly significant in Nevada.
According to the Pew Research Center, 8.8% of Nevada households have at least one undocumented immigrant, while 13.9% of Nevada schoolchildren have at least one parent who is an undocumented immigrant – both figures represent the highest percentages of any state in the nation.
Additional Provisions
The legislation extends beyond immigration enforcement to include new restrictions on school police officers in Clark County. It would prohibit the use of chemical agents such as tear gas and pepper spray, as well as electronic stun devices on students.
Any use of force would require detailed reporting and trigger a mandatory school board investigation.
Perspectives From Education
Assemblyperson González brings both legislative and classroom experience to the debate. As a teacher, she reports hearing directly from affected students:
“I cannot tell you how many students that I have heard from that are scared to go to school — students that are asking to be on distance education, because they are legitimately afraid that they are going to be picked up at school, and/or their families.”
Similar Approaches Elsewhere
California has already implemented comparable restrictions, with state law specifying that school officials are not required to allow immigration agents on campus without a warrant. Nevada’s proposed legislation would create similar protections while adding criminal penalties for violations.
Political Context
The bill’s future remains uncertain in Nevada’s complex political landscape.
While Governor Lombardo recently joined other Republican governors in supporting enhanced deportation efforts targeting criminals, this school-focused legislation presents distinct policy considerations.
Governor Lombardo addressed immigration enforcement in schools directly, in a recent interview at the National Automobile Museum in Reno:
Lombardo said:
“In my opinion, we have a porous border. We have individuals who have committed crimes that the majority of folks in the nation, including immigrants, support the removal of.”
However, he specifically stated opposition to deploying immigration officials in schools and churches, saying enforcement should be more “strategic.” This stance directly addresses Trump’s recent reversal of a 2011 policy that had banned ICE from “sensitive spaces.”
Schools present unique circumstances that differ significantly from general immigration enforcement generally stemming from the criminal justice system. Notably, Lombardo has indicated he will leave immigration policy decisions to county sheriffs to dictate their communities’ approaches.
The bill awaits its first hearing in the Assembly’s Committee on Education. If passed, it would take effect July 1, 2025.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
