CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — Law enforcement groups have spoken in support of a bill that says police must have probable cause before holding an undocumented immigrant for federal authorities.
Democratic Assemblyman Edgar Flores presented the bill at a Friday hearing in Carson City. He says the community wants an assurance that local police would not have the authority to detain an undocumented immigrant solely because they are in the country illegally.
Las Vegas metro police say the legislation would not change anything about their current operation. A lobbyist for the agency says an undocumented immigrant who is arrested and taken to jail would still be flagged for federal immigration authorities.
A stream of opponents voiced fears of violent crime from undocumented immigrants and argued the legislation would jeopardize public safety.