- Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo and Attorney General Aaron Ford are clashing over immigration policies. Ford recently published model policies aimed at guiding law enforcement and public institutions, emphasizing safety, fairness and limited immigration enforcement in certain public spaces.
- Lombardo, however, asserts Nevada will adhere to federal law and dismisses the policies as non-binding recommendations.
- U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has warned that non-compliance with federal immigration laws could lead to loss of federal funding.
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Nevada Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo and Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford are at odds over the state’s immigration policies. The two are set to face off in the Silver State’s 2026 gubernatorial contest.
What are the two disagreeing about?
On Monday, Feb. 24, Ford published model immigration policies, as required by state law. He said their goal is to serve as a resource for law enforcement, courts, higher education institutions, healthcare facilities and public schools.
The model policies reflect what Ford said are four key principles: public safety, prudent use of public money, a focus on health, safety, education and finally, justice and fairness.
The policies were constructed after Ford’s staff researched federal and state law. That included agency regulations and guidance, along with President Donald Trump’s executive orders. Since returning to the White House, Trump has focused many orders on federal immigration enforcement.
Staff also reviewed policies in other states like Oregon, New Jersey and Connecticut, according to the state’s attorney general’s office.
“The Nevada Legislature intended these policies to limit ‘to the fullest extent possible and consistent with any applicable law, immigration enforcement at public schools, institutions of higher education, healthcare facilities, and courthouses to ensure that such places remain safe and accessible to residents of this state regardless of the immigration status or citizenship of such persons,’” Ford said in a statement.
An official press release from Ford’s office states that the policies are recommendations, not requirements.
What has Gov. Lombardo said?
Gov. Lombardo said Nevada will follow federal law regarding immigration enforcement.
In a statement, Lombardo said, “The model immigration policies released by the Office of the Attorney General are currently under review by the executive branch. All affected state agencies will continue to comply with – and enforce – all applicable law.”
“As the Attorney General has conceded, and as the governing statutes make clear, the model immigration policies are non-binding and non-mandatory guidelines.
“Let me be clear: 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.”
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has said that states and cities not complying with federal immigration laws will lose federal funding.
Two weeks ago, Bondi’s office filed a lawsuit against New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James over the state’s sanctuary policies.
