LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — A town hall in East Las Vegas last week drew residents living with uncertainty as immigration enforcement and protests have made national headlines, leading to sharp exchanges between community members and local leaders.
Congressman Ro Khanna said what he witnessed in Minneapolis prompted him to hear directly from Nevada families.
“I was just in Minneapolis standing with Minnesotans, I am so outraged and heartbroken with what’s going on with ICE,” Khanna said.
The congressman said he met with Rancho High School students who expressed fear about their parents potentially being detained and deported.
Nevada sees limited enforcement activity
Since increased immigration enforcement efforts began across the United States, Nevada has not seen any confirmed large-scale ICE raids in the community.
“Well, fortunately, we haven’t seen the huge terror that’s going on in Minneapolis and Chicago and other places,” said Clark County Commissioner Tick Segerblom.
Khanna argued Washington is spending too much on enforcement instead of addressing community needs.
“That money should be going to build housing here, to be solving homelessness here, to be creating jobs here, to be paying for childcare here, to be paying for healthcare here,” Khanna said.
Community remains divided
Not everyone at the town hall agreed with local leaders. One resident challenged the discussion, saying people who entered the country illegally deserve the same due process on departure as they received upon entry.
The town hall ended with a familiar split heard across the country, with people demanding more security while others sought more safeguards. The community continues watching to see what changes might occur locally in the coming weeks.
“And we’re watching every day, and we’re doing all we can do,” Segerblom said.
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