What’s Happening on Campus
You know how your kids learn fire drills and safety procedures at school? Well, at Nevada State University, some folks are teaching students a different kind of safety drill. They’re showing them how to avoid federal immigration agents.
According to a report from Libs of TikTok, a document posted in the Liberal Arts & Sciences Building tells students exactly what to do if Immigration and Customs Enforcement shows up.
The poster, which Libs of TikTok shared after receiving it from a follower, sits right next to a Pride flag display.
The guidance tells students to warn undocumented classmates quietly. It says not to speak to ICE agents or answer their questions. The document even suggests recording encounters if it’s safe.
Why This Matters Right Now
This isn’t happening in a vacuum. The Department of Justice is calling for a federal investigation into UndocuPack, a program at UNR that provides financial and academic support to undocumented students. The DOJ says using public money this way breaks federal law from 1996.
Think about it this way. Your tax dollars fund these public universities. Now some of these schools are using those same dollars to help people avoid federal law enforcement. It’s like a city police department teaching bank robbers how to evade the FBI.
The Bigger Picture
At least 15 campus police departments in Florida are seeking immigration enforcement powers, with ICE already approving eight institutions as active partners. Meanwhile, Nevada universities seem to be going the opposite direction.
What makes this especially concerning is the timing. Federal immigration agents have reportedly been detaining people throughout the Las Vegas Valley. Immigration enforcement is ramping up across Nevada. Yet some campus officials are actively working against these federal efforts.
What Critics Are Saying
Immigration advocates argue they’re just protecting students. Immigration attorneys told coalition members that they’ve heard there are expanded and ongoing ICE activities this week in Las Vegas. They say students deserve to feel safe on campus.
University officials at UNLV have taken a middle ground. UPD does not ask anyone about their immigration status, and does not arrest anyone solely on the basis of their immigration status. But they also say they’ll cooperate with valid judicial warrants.
The Legal Questions
Here’s where it gets tricky. Federal immigration enforcement officers can enter public areas without a warrant, just like any member of the public. However, officers cannot access nonpublic areas of campus without permission from an authorized campus official.
But encouraging people to evade federal law enforcement? That’s a different matter entirely. Some might call it obstruction of justice. Others might say it’s aiding and abetting immigration violations.
What Happens Next
The Department of Justice isn’t sitting still. They’re already investigating programs at Nevada universities. If they find violations of federal law, there could be serious consequences. Federal funding could be at risk.
Universities might have to choose. Do they keep these programs and risk losing federal money? Or do they comply with federal law and upset activist groups on campus?
Watch what your local universities are doing. They’re supposed to be places of learning, not sanctuaries from federal law.
This debate isn’t going away anytime soon. As immigration enforcement increases nationwide, expect more conflicts between federal authorities and campus officials. The question is simple. Should public universities help enforce federal law or work against it?
Your tax dollars are funding the answer.
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.
