Nevada Legislature Passes Resolution Urging Congress to Protect Places of Worship and Schools from ICE

LAS VEGAS – The Nevada Senate today approved Assembly Joint Resolution 9, marking passage of the bill in the Nevada Legislature and making Nevada the first state in the U.S. to officially urge Congress to protect places of worship and schools from immigration enforcement actions since the federal government rescinded its “sensitive locations” guidelines earlier this year.

AJR9 was sponsored by the Assembly Committee on Legislative Operations and Elections. State Senator Lori Rogich was the sole Republican in either house to vote alongside Democrats in the Assembly and Senate in favor of protections for houses of worship and schools.

ACLU of Nevada executive director Athar Haseebullah said:

“By passing this resolution, Nevada is sending a clear message to Congress and the country that we don’t want families in our community to be afraid to practice their faith or take their kids to school, period. We are grateful for Assemblymembers Erica Mosca and Cecelia Gonzalez for shepherding this bill and to everyone who supported it, including Republican Senator Lori Rogich for supporting faith communities. We remain gravely disappointed that all other Republican legislators put their loyalty to the Trump Administration and ICE ahead of our houses of worship and schools.”

Nevada Assemblymember Erica Mosca said:

“Passing this resolution is a defining moment for Nevada and a reflection of our values. No one should ever have to weigh the risk of immigration enforcement when simply attending school or going to church. Today we affirmed that protecting these spaces is not just a legislative policy, it's a moral imperative. I’m proud to see Nevada become the first state to take this stand and I hope Congress, and the rest of the country, follows our lead.”

Nevada Assemblymember Cecelia González said:

"Today we took a historic step to defend the dignity and safety of immigrant families across Nevada. We are leading the nation in saying that every child deserves to learn and every family deserves to worship without fear of immigration enforcement, and I am proud to have a part in championing this effort for our state, and the country.”