Nevada AG aims to ensure immigrants’ rights are protected ahead of second Trump presidency

President-elect Trump’s promise for a “mass deportation” would impact an estimated 168,000 undocumented immigrants in Nevada. The “Know Your Rights” guides published by the Attorney General’s office outline what to do in case they are stopped by police or immigration officers.

The Nevada Attorney General’s office published a “Know Your Rights” guide Thursday to inform immigrant Nevadans and companies who employ immigrants about their legal rights. The move comes in response to Donald Trump being re-elected and promising a record number of deportations. 

In the time before Trump takes office, immigration advocates are preparing themselves for what’s to come. That includes Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford, who is aiming to arm Nevada’s immigrant community with the tools they need to know their rights and protect themselves in case they are stopped by police or immigration officers. 

“I know that many in our immigrant communities are concerned about the current rhetoric in our political climate, and I want to stress that as long as I am attorney general, their constitutional rights will be protected,” Ford said in a statement. “However, it is important that members of these communities know their legal rights on the ground so they may protect themselves from unlawful actions.”  

Trump’s promise for a “mass deportation” would have an impact on the estimated 168,000 undocumented immigrants who call Nevada home — 19% of whom are employed in the hospitality and food service industry, and 13% of whom work in construction. 

“Similarly, our office wants to provide needed information to employers on how best to protect themselves and their employees in response to the president-elect’s rhetoric threatening workplace raids,” Ford continued in the statement.

The guides published by the Nevada Attorney General’s office are available online in English and Spanish, with more languages to come. 

One of the publications outlines what information an officer may lawfully ask for, the right to remain silent, and the right to both an attorney and an interpreter. It also lays out what to do if you are contacted by a police officer or immigration agent, if they go to your home, or approach you in a car, and if you are arrested. 

The second guide is aimed at employers who hire immigrant workers on how to deal with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement during a Form I-9 audit and what rights their employees have.