Published Friday, March 29, 2019 | 1:51 p.m.
Updated Friday, March 29, 2019 | 4:17 p.m.
CARSON CITY — A stream of opponents argued before lawmakers Friday against a Democrat-backed bill that stipulates police must have probable cause before holding an undocumented immigrant for federal authorities.
Opponents said the legislation would jeopardize public safety and voiced fears of violent crime from undocumented immigrants. One argued the bill forces law enforcement to ignore on-going criminal activity and many made reference to a Salvadoran immigrant living in the U.S. illegally who is charged in the killing of four Nevada residents.
Some law enforcement groups spoke in favor of the legislation, saying it wouldn't change anything about their current operations.
"We do not do field immigration enforcement," said Chuck Callaway, a lobbyist for the Las Vegas Metro Police Department. "That's not our job, that's the job of the federal government. So (for) officers in the field, we have a strict policy (of) not asking people their immigration status. We're not checking people's papers in the field."
Callaway said officers will still be able to notify federal immigration authorities if an undocumented immigrant is arrested and taken to jail.
Bill sponsor Assemblyman Edgar Flores says the legislation aims to address community concerns that local police might hold a person for federal immigration authorities solely because they are an undocumented immigrant.
"It is a step in the right direction, in my opinion," the Democrat told a panel of lawmakers at a bill hearing Friday. "But it is not in any way going to change law enforcement's cooperation with the Department of Homeland Security."
Flores said the bill would not create so-called sanctuary cities. A dozen Assembly Democrats, including Flores, have signed on in support of the legislation.
