LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — The thought of immigration agents showing up at school is sparking fear across Nevada after a bill that would’ve banned federal agents from entering campuses without a warrant was vetoed this year.
Under federal law, ICE agents still need a warrant to enter school grounds. But AB217 would’ve gone a step further – making it a crime for schools to let agents in without one, and creating statewide protections families could count on, no matter which district they’re in.
They’re supposed to be safe spaces, but some families are now afraid to send their children back to school.
“We’ve started hearing in our office, people are worried about when school starts next month,” said Director of the UNLV Immigration Clinic, Michael Kagan. “Are schools going to be safe? We hope so of course.”
The fear grew in June when Governor Joe Lombardo vetoed AB217, or the Student Safety Act. The bill was created by the Nevada Latino Legislative Caucus, that’s made up of Hispanic educators across the Valley. The bill would have banned ICE agents from entering schools or accessing student records without a judicial warrant
Under federal law, immigration agents must have a warrant signed by a judge to enter any school campus, but earlier this year, the Trump Administration revoked internal ICE guidance that discouraged agents from targeting sensitive locations like schools and churches.
The Clark County School District says it does not check immigration status, does not enforce federal immigration law, and has procedures if immigration agents show up.
“Make our students feel safer so that they can come to school. Normally, an agent will come in, they’ll deal with the admin and then, will call the general counsel and then we can work as a liaison, respond to that, and so to make sure everything is good to go,” said Bernardo Abarca with the CCSD Police Department.
District staff are told to verify the agent’s identity, ask for the reason for the visit, and notify CCSD Police. Officers with the district say they do not engage in immigration enforcement.
But despite those guardrails, immigrant families remain on edge
“This kind of fear is just so incredibly destructive to our neighbors, to our community, to our economy, whatever it is people care about,” Kagan said.
Lawmakers who presented AB217 say they plan to revisit the bill in 2027 when the legislature reconvenes.
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