Party Takes Unusual Step in Social Media Dispute
The Nevada Republican Party made headlines this week when it reported a Democratic state senator’s family members to federal immigration authorities through social media. The move has sparked debate about political tactics and immigration enforcement.
Sen. Fabian Doñate, a Las Vegas Democrat, found himself at the center of controversy after the state GOP shared information about his undocumented family members with Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Twitter.
The party wrote:
“Just a heads up, this state senator has bragged about having illegals in his family. Every elected official and government employee should be a mandated reporter to ICE — no shelter for illegal aliens!”
The post tagged ICE, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and FBI Director Kash Patel. It included a 2023 quote from Doñate where he mentioned having undocumented family members without access to health care.
Hey @ICEgov @KristiNoem @DHSgov @Kash_Patel just a heads up, this state senator has bragged about having illegals in his family.
Every elected official and government employee should be a mandated reporter to ICE – no shelter for illegal aliens! https://t.co/x9W63TiZrQ pic.twitter.com/HagzHy8Tgh
— Nevada GOP (@NVGOP) June 24, 2025
How the Dispute Started
The conflict began when Doñate criticized the Nevada GOP’s response to the temporary closure of Broadacres Marketplace in North Las Vegas. The popular swap meet shut down indefinitely after community concerns about ICE enforcement operations in the area.
The state party had commented:
“If you can’t stay open without illegal aliens, you don’t deserve to be open at all.”
Doñate called this position “anti-business and anti-economic development.” That’s when the party decided to alert federal authorities about his family situation.
Political Reactions Split Along Party Lines
Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo took a measured approach, saying families should be off-limits in politics.
Lombardo said in a statement to the Review-Journal:
“Attacking people’s families should be off limits in politics. I won’t do it, and I don’t condone it.”
However, he also emphasized that Nevada will continue following federal laws and cooperating with immigration authorities.
Lombardo added:
“Protecting our communities from crime is vital to the small businesses that drive our state’s economy,”
Democratic Sen. Jacky Rosen called the GOP post “a disgusting new low.” The Nevada GOP responded by calling her a “keyboard warrior” who won’t address what they termed “the criminal invasion of Nevada.”
The Immigration Enforcement Debate
The incident highlights ongoing tensions over immigration policy and enforcement. The Nevada GOP argues that elected officials should report immigration violations as part of following federal law.
“If you make the laws, you need to follow the law. Every elected official should be a mandated reporter to ICE,” the party stated in response to criticism.
Progressive groups condemned the action. Laura Martin from the Progressive Alliance of Nevada Action Fund called it part of “crowd-sourced witch-hunts reminiscent of 1930s Germany.”
What This Means for Nevada Politics
The controversy comes as immigration remains a top issue for many conservative voters. Recent polls show border security ranking high among Republican priorities nationwide.
Some political observers note that the Nevada GOP’s approach reflects growing pressure from the party base to take stronger action on immigration enforcement. The party has been pushing for stricter policies since the 2024 elections.
Critics argue that targeting family members crosses traditional political boundaries. Supporters say it shows a commitment to enforcing existing immigration laws.
Business Community Concerns
The closure of Broadacres Marketplace raises questions about immigration enforcement’s impact on Nevada’s economy. The market served thousands of customers and employed many workers.
Business groups worry that aggressive enforcement could hurt commerce in immigrant communities. The Nevada GOP maintains that businesses should only employ workers with legal status.
Doñate noted that the GOP had previously campaigned at Broadacres during the 2024 election cycle, calling their current position hypocritical.
Looking Forward
This incident may signal how immigration politics will play out in Nevada as the Trump administration continues its enforcement efforts. The state has significant immigrant populations in both legal and undocumented status.
Conservative activists are likely to support the GOP’s position, viewing it as consistent with law and order principles. They argue that elected officials have a duty to report known violations of federal law.
Others worry about the precedent of using family members in political disputes. Even some Republicans question whether this approach helps or hurts the party’s broader goals.
The debate reflects national tensions over how aggressively to enforce immigration laws and whether family considerations should limit political tactics.
As the 2026 elections approach, both parties will likely use this incident to mobilize their bases around immigration policy.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
