ACLU of Nevada v. Department of Motor Vehicles

  • Filed: August 15, 2025
  • Status: Ongoing
  • Court: First Judicial District Court
  • Latest Update: Aug 15, 2025
Graphic with a maroon overlay featuring the statue of Lady Justice holding scales in the background. On the left is the white ACLU of Nevada logo. On the right, separated by a vertical white line, the text reads “ACLU of Nevada v. Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles” in a bold, serif font.

Summary

We’re suing the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for violating Nevada’s public records laws by refusing to release records related to their communications with ICE.

Case Background

Between February and August 2025, the ACLU of Nevada submitted multiple records requests to the DMV asking for its internal policies related to cooperation with ICE. The DMV denied those requests. After we sent a formal demand letter through the Nevada Attorney General’s Office, the DMV turned over a small set of heavily redacted and incomplete documents establishing undisclosed cooperation with ICE. Even with redactions, the records showed:

ICE requested personal data from the DMV, including addresses and vehicle registration information.

The DMV may have communicated with ICE using Signal, an encrypted messaging app with auto-delete features and no recovery mechanism.

Entire email chains and other referenced communications were missing from the records provided.

Nevada law requires public agencies to preserve official records and make them available upon request. Using encrypted, auto-deleting chats for government business violates record retention rules and raises serious questions about the full extent of the DMV’s cooperation with ICE.

What We're Seeking

We’re seeking a court order demanding the DMV release all requested records in compliance with Nevada law. Nevadans have a right to know the extent to which their government is cooperating with ICE and the DMV has a legal duty to be transparent with the public.

Case Number:
25 EW 00026 1B
Attorney(s):
Christopher M. Peterson, Esq., Sadmira Ramic, Esq.

News & Commentary

Aug 15, 2025

ACLU of Nevada sues DMV to learn extent of its cooperation with ICE

The ACLU of Nevada is suing the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles for allegedly failing to provide records in accordance with state law, including correspondence with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Photo of the exterior of a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) building. The wall is made of square and rectangular stone tiles in shades of beige and brown. Mounted in large gold letters is the text “DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES.” A portion of a parked vehicle and tree branches are visible in the foreground.

Learn More About the Issues in This Case

First Amendment Immigrants' Rights View All Issues

Related News & Podcasts

News & Commentary
Aug 15, 2025
Photo of the exterior of a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) building. The wall is made of square and rectangular stone tiles in shades of beige and brown. Mounted in large gold letters is the text “DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES.” A portion of a parked vehicle and tree branches are visible in the foreground.
  • First Amendment|
  • +1 Issue

ACLU of Nevada sues DMV to learn extent of its cooperation with ICE

The ACLU of Nevada is suing the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles for allegedly failing to provide records in accordance with state law, including correspondence with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

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Campaign
Dec 2025
Logo for ACLU of Nevada’s Firewall for Freedom campaign. The design features a red Nevada state emblem with the words ‘Battle Born’ on the left and bold text reading ‘FIREWALL FOR FREEDOM’ in red, white, and blue on a black background, with the ACLU Nevada logo below.
  • Voting Rights|
  • +5 Issues

Firewall for Freedom

Across the nation, the federal government is attempting to dismantle long-standing protections for free speech, privacy, equality, and democracy. But freedom doesn’t just live in the courts or in Washington. It begins right here, in Nevada. Our cities, counties, and communities can be the first line of defense against federal overreach. ACLU of Nevada’s Firewall for Freedom campaign is both a proactive and responsive strategy to protect our rights and our people from unlawful federal interference. When local leaders refuse to be complicit in unconstitutional acts, when city councils pass protections, and when neighbors look out for each other, that’s how democracy endures. Local policies, local leadership, and local courage can stop unconstitutional federal actions before they take root.