Nevada

ICE arrests skyrocketed in Nevada last year

Published

3 days ago

February 12, 2026

ICE arrests skyrocketed in Nevada last year

Michael Lyle
| Nevada Current

Nevada has not seen the barrage of armed federal officers carrying out immigration enforcement that other cities have seen, but immigration arrests in the state increased drastically last year, with at least 2,155 detained in the first 10 months of President Donald Trump’s second term.

The number of people arrested in immigration enforcement and removal operations under Trump is three times larger than former President Joe Biden’s final year in office in 2024, which saw 634 arrests throughout the state.

The Deportation Data Project, a group of academics and lawyers that collects and shares U.S. government immigration enforcement datasets, has compiled data or arrests nationwide through Oct. 15.

All arrest data was obtained through public information requests and litigation and most likely doesn’t represent the full scale of arrests or deportation efforts.

Roughly 70% of people who were arrested in Nevada had been detained through local jails and detention without any clear indication in the data of what their underlying offenses were, and more than 40% had no criminal convictions or records.

In an email to Nevada Current, Deportation Data Project explained that street-based arrests or “immigration raids,” which are a smaller portion of the numbers of those arrested, can show up in the data as “non-custodial arrest” and “located” categories.

The Current analyzed the data and found 273 “non-custodial” arrests and 326 identified under “located” categories, a 700% and 300% increase respectively from 2024.

In Biden’s final year of office, the project only found 34 “non custodial” arrests and 83 under the “located” categories.

Of those arrested, a large majority — 1,276 people — were from Mexico while 175 people were from Guatemala and 154 were from El Salvador.

Nevada immigrant advocates and civil rights attorneys say there are many unanswered questions about who is being arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

But the one thing that is becoming clear is “the story of 2025 was a story of massive increase in ICE arrests,” said Michael Kagan, director of the UNLV Immigration Clinic.

“Just because we don’t have people in armed fatigues walking through East Las Vegas does not mean that ICE has not ramped up considerably,” Kagan said. “ICE is here and is making more arrests than ever.”

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security didn’t respond to numerous requests for comment.

The UNLV Immigration Clinic and the ACLU of Nevada have both struggled to track the full scope of people detained, arrested and deported.

Despite submitting records requested to DHS and local agencies to figure out who is being detained, the numbers “are not typically put out in a very transparent fashion,” said Athar Haseebullah, the executive director of the ACLU of Nevada.

He also doubts federal agencies’ willingness to provide accurate information, adding the administration “is insistent and open to lying.”

The data collected by the Deportation Data Project confirms what the UNLV clinic is seeing through client intakes and calls from the community, Kagan said. People accused — not always convicted — of low-level offenses are being swept up in immigration enforcement and the deportation process.

The data might be incomplete, but it does provide a snapshot of what is happening in Nevada.

“The hard part is because the enforcement actions are often taking place on residential streets and neighborhoods, there’s no way to accurately understand the full gamut of how they’re operating here,” Haseebullah said.

They haven’t had their day in court

The data analyzed by the Current showed 43% of cases — 934 arrests — were listed as “pending criminal charges” without any indication of what those charges could entail.

“I think it’s really key and important to remind people that an arrest means nothing,” Haseebullah said. “It’s indicative of nothing. You haven’t had your day in court. If we started basing everything off arrests alone, then our system of justice would be useless.”

Trump and White House officials repeatedly claim immigration enforcement is going after the “worst of the worst.”

But from the cases Kagan has seen through the clinic, these arrests are commonly DUIs and other issues like “low level drug offenses” like simple possession.

“You’re not talking about the worst of the worst, as they usually describe it,” he said.

The aggressive immigration enforcement is circumventing the normal criminal justice system and people’s ability to challenge the offenses they are accused of.

“We have clients who have a pending DUI charge and have a very strong account for why they think they are innocent of the DUI,” Kagan said. “I think that the district attorney probably has never heard their version of events, and that’s unfair.”

Another 44% of the cases, 951 arrests, are listed as having a criminal conviction, but again the data doesn’t specify what the conviction was for or how long ago the arrest was.

The category of what could be considered a criminal conviction is too broad, Kagan noted, and doesn’t distinguish between crime like low-level drug possession or a Class-A felony such as murder.

The ambiguity plays on the “rhetoric casting all immigrants as if they are Class-A felons,” he said.

The administration’s implementation of its crackdown “makes no distinction between a homicide conviction and trespass,” Kagan said. “I think to meaningfully talk about this the way normal people would think of it, you’d need to know what kind of crime” the people being arrested have been accused of, “and they don’t provide that data.”

Another lingering question is how old some of these convictions are, Haseebullah said.

There have been cases where people are being swept up on decades-old convictions.

Haseebullah said he was informed of an arrest and a conviction for a DUI that occurred in 1990.

Another 270 cases in the data are categorized as immigration violations. The data doesn’t provide any further information on those violations.

Two systems of justice

The increased immigration enforcement is not only sweeping more people into deportation, but also created two systems of justice, Kagan said.

For a U.S. citizen, if they are arrested for an offense like DUI or low-level drug possession, they would have their day in court where they are innocent until proven guilty.

Immigrants will never face trial and instead will “just be handed over to ICE.”

The initial arrest “is just the front end of the deportation pipeline,” Kagan said. “We find, anecdotally, with our cases, some of them have no criminal record. Some of our clients and prospective clients were arrested on something like a DUI.”

For those who could be found guilty and convicted of a crime, “they may actually not face the punishment that a citizen would face,” Kagan said.

The system makes ICE a “getaway driver” for cases that could normally carry serious prison time.

Local police at the ‘front end’ of deportation system

The largest number of immigration arrests in Nevada last year — more than 1,500 — were people who were already incarcerated by state and local law enforcement, according to the Deportation Data Project.

Clark County Detention Center accounted for 633 of the arrests through Oct. 15. There were 140 immigration arrests at the jail in 2024.

“That means that basically Las Vegas (Metropolitan Police Department) and other police departments are the front end of the deportation system,” Kagan said.

The data only found one instance of law enforcement complying with 287(g) agreement, by which local authorities help ICE holding people in custody after their release.

LVMPD ended its 287(g) involvement in 2019 but authorized a new agreement in summer 2025. The new agreement is likely not yet reflected in the available data, Haseebullah noted.

Laken Riley Act one year later

Trump’s focus on carrying out more immigration enforcement by detaining and deporting was part of a campaign promise. The Laken Riley Act, which he signed into law during his first month of office and touted as part of his fulfillment of that promise, was a mechanism that critics warned would give the administration more leeway to detain more immigrants by depriving them of their due process rights.

The legislation allowed for undocumented immigrants arrested or charged with crimes like shoplifting, theft and larceny to be detained even if there isn’t a conviction.

Nevada’s entire Democratic delegation voted for the bill despite heavy pushback from immigration attorneys and groups.

Haseebullah said the bill was terrible “namely because it sort of crushed the notion of civil liberties in due process.”

It’s hard to get a full understanding how the act has affected people in Nevada, he said.

The UNLV Immigration Clinic has only successfully litigated one case “to prevent the application of the Laken Riley Act to someone who had been found innocent by a jury,” Kagan said.

The case has been sealed and he was unable to provide further details, except that “DHS pressed forward and wanted to detain them as if they were still guilty.”

If federal agents only relied on the Laken Riley Act to detain more immigrants, “that would have been bad enough,” Haseebullah said.

“It seems almost as if they saw a hurdle in the form of Laken Riley Act and jumped over it,” he said. “Now they just ignore the Fourth Amendment” which protects people from unreasonable searches and seizures “and every basic constitutional protection as a whole.”

Kagan agreed that current tactics by federal immigration officials essentially rendered the Laken Riley Act irrelevant.

Instead, the administration is focused on mandatory detention “of basically every undocumented immigrant,” he said.

Though it seems agents have bypassed the federal legislation, Kagan said Democrats should have never voted for the Laken Riley Act.

“I think it does not speak well of an elected official when they can only stand for immigrants, when Gallup polls tell them that the weather is good,” Kagan said. “I think that they would do better to indicate to the public that they stand firm in a position even when the polls run one way or the other.”

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These Are America’s 5 Largest Casinos To Visit (And They’re Not In Nevada) – Islands

Published

4 hours ago

February 14, 2026

Press Room

These Are America’s 5 Largest Casinos To Visit (And They’re Not In Nevada) – Islands

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Although Las Vegas has been voted America’s most fun city and is known as the gambling capital of the world due to its sheer number of casinos, Nevada doesn’t actually claim a spot among the five largest casinos in the United States by size. Instead, two are in Connecticut, two are in California, and Oklahoma takes the top spot.

Ranging from 270,000 to more than 600,000 square feet, these sprawling properties may not have the cachet of appearing in multiple Bond films like the Casino de Monte-Carlo, or boast the world’s largest rooftop infinity pool like Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands. Nor do they offer safari parks like Sun City Casino Resort in South Africa. Still, you don’t have to leave the U.S. to find expansive casino destinations with plenty to offer. From championship golf courses and Native American cultural institutions to spas with aqua therapy and crystal energy healing, each property on this list offers its own appeal.

Of course, their size alone doesn’t automatically make them must-visit destinations, but it does mean plenty of gaming options, such as slot machines and roulette, as well as a wide variety of restaurants and entertainment to suit many different tastes. To identify America’s largest casinos, we began with data from Casino.org and verified details on each property’s official website. With gaming floors this large, getting your steps in likely won’t be a problem. So, pick your favorite, practice your poker face, and book your trip — and don’t forget your good luck charm!

Oklahoma: WinStar World Casino and Resort

Exterior of WinStar World Casino and Resort in Oklahoma

Alex Potemkin/Getty Images

The WinStar World Casino and Resort has certainly put Thackerville, Oklahoma (population 411) on the map. Covering an impressive 616,960 square feet – 400,000 square feet of it just on the gaming floor – WinStar is the world’s largest casino. With more than 55 poker tables and 10,000 electronic games to choose from, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to move around and find your lucky seat. The property has received 2.6 stars on Yelp, based on more than 1,000 reviews. A November 2025 visitor noted its world theme, explaining that “each section of the casino is designed as a different country or state.”

The resort has more than 20 restaurants and bars, and golfers will want to schedule a tee time at one of two 18-hole courses and perhaps get some tips on improving their game at the Golf Academy. When it’s time to relax, the pools and the spa beckon. Find your perfect spot at the three-tier Cascades pool or settle into a private cabana at the Terrace Pool. The spa offers standard massages, facials, and hair and nail services as well as hydrotherapy and aquathermal bathing.

WinStar is an hour from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport in Texas and about 2 hours from Oklahoma City. There are 1,700 rooms in the hotel on site, 100 rooms in the nearby inn accessible by shuttle, and 155 RV sites at the Fun Town RV Park at WinStar.

Connecticut: Mohegan Sun

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Despite being the third-smallest U.S. state, Connecticut is surprisingly home to two of the country’s largest casinos. America’s second-largest casino is Mohegan Sun, known for its dining and concert venue. It has more than 350,000 square feet of gaming space, 130,000 square feet of retail, and 375,000 square feet of meeting space. With two casinos, two hotel towers, two spas, two indoor pools, three live performance venues, and 45 restaurants and bars, it’s no wonder that more than 25,000 people walk through its doors every day. It’s also home to the Connecticut Sun, a WNBA franchise.

Because many casinos discourage or ban children, it’s noteworthy that Mohegan Sun not only has facilities and entertainment for them but also offers hourly childcare. Drop children ages two-and-a-half up to 12 years old at Kids Quest to play games, watch a movie, and sing karaoke under staff supervision while parents enjoy the adult casino amenities. There’s also a Cyber Quest arcade for older children.

Mohegan Sun’s architecture is also a standout feature. “All the touches of decor honoring Native history are incredible,” a guest wrote in a Google review, referencing murals and animatronic wolves that howl on the hour. Visitors should look out for design enhancements, such as a 55-foot indoor waterfall and a large indoor planetarium dome with varying celestial projections. Mohegan Sun receives 4.5 stars on Google from more than 44,000 reviews. It’s located in Uncasville, one hour from Bradley International Airport in Hartford, and about 2 hours from Boston.

Connecticut: Foxwoods

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Foxwoods Resort Casino is about 15 minutes from Mohegan Sun, making it possible — though a bit ambitious — to visit both in a single day. With 340,000 square feet of gaming space, Foxwoods offers about 3,400 slot machines, 54 poker tables, and 249 table games across five casino areas. It also includes four hotels, two spas, two golf courses, six nightclubs, as well as an escape room, a bowling alley, axe-throwing, and pottery workshops – so no one can claim boredom.

Located in the Native American history-rich town of Mashantucket, Foxwoods is also home to the 308,000-square-foot Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center, which explores the history of the Mashantucket Tribal Nation. The resort earns 4.3 stars on Google, based on more than 24,000 reviews. One guest in December 2025 wrote: “There is so much to see and do around every corner … Amazing restaurants for every taste and budget.”

Well placed in New England, Foxwoods is one hour from Bradley International Airport in Hartford, 1.5 hours from Boston, and only 20 minutes from the laid-back town of Mystic, one of the best small towns in the U.S. for a fall escape.

California: Yaamava’ Resort & Casino

Yaamava’ Resort & Casino, located in Highland, California, ranks fourth among the largest casinos in America with 7,500 slot machines and 150 table games covering 290,000 square feet of gaming space. It sits on the reservation of the Yuhaaviatam clan San Manuel Nation and is roughly an hour from Palm Springs International Airport and 2 hours from LAX.

In addition to having AAA Five-Diamond status, Yaamava’ has also been voted the best casino outside of Las Vegas. Guests can catch major headliners, take a dip in the third-floor Helix Pool, or unwind at Serrano Spa, which offers services like sound-therapy massages and gold-infused facials. Dining options include Pines Steakhouse, a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence recipient, and a USA Today Readers’ Choice winner for casino dining.

Despite its scale, the on-site hotel has only 432 rooms. The casino holds a 2.9-star rating on Tripadvisor from 603 reviews, with crowding frequently cited as a drawback. “Be prepared to wait for machines during peak hours,” a former guest noted in a January 2026 review. Another had a hard time getting in and out: “We were stuck in standstill traffic trying to enter the parking structure and stuck over one hour in parking structure trying to leave,” they wrote.

California: Thunder Valley Casino

Facade of Thunder Valley Casino at night

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Thunder Valley Casino Resort rounds out the top five largest casinos in America, with 270,000 square feet of gaming space. Located in Lincoln, Northern California, the resort has earned a AAA Four-Diamond designation annually since 2011. The property features 3,500 slot and video machines, 90 table games, a 4,500-seat entertainment venue, a seasonal outdoor pool with cabanas, and a 24-hour fitness center.

Take your pick of 20 restaurants and bars on-site, including the cleverly named High Steaks Steakhouse and Dos Coyotes Border Café for Mexican fare. If you don’t want to spend the time or money at a sit-down restaurant, grab a bite at fast-dining options on the property like Fatburger and Panda Express. The spa offers standard treatments like massages and facials alongside amenities such as a eucalyptus steam room, sauna, meditation room, and halotherapy. Operated by the United Auburn Indian Community, the resort includes a 408-room hotel.

Thunder Valley Casino Resort has a 4.5-star rating from 1,752 Tripadvisor reviews. “The new rooms are beautiful and … Love the latest expansions,” a guest wrote in January 2026. The property is about 30 minutes from Sacramento International Airport, 2 hours from Reno, Nevada, and a little over 2 hours from San Francisco.

Methodology

Khosro/Shutterstock

To come up with the list of the largest casinos in America, we referenced casino square footage from the industry-leading independent gaming review and advice platform, Casino.org. We then verified the square footage for each of the five properties and incorporated information from their websites and external sources, such as Tripadvisor, Google Reviews, and Just Luxe.

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Watch Nevada high school state wrestling championships final day: Live stream, schedule, tickets

Published

16 hours ago

February 14, 2026

Press Room

Watch Nevada high school state wrestling championships final day: Live stream, schedule, tickets

The Nevada Interscholastic Athletic Association (NIAA) high school state wrestling championships wrap up Saturday in Winnemucca.

Champions will be crowned in Class 2A, 3A, 5A and girls wrestling.

All matches will stream live on the NFHS Network on eight mats. Wrestling begins at 9 a.m. PST on Saturday.

The event will be held at the Winnemucca Events Center. Tickets are $13 for adults and $6 for students.

Here’s a look at the schedule and live stream information. All times PST.

Saturday, Feb. 14

9 a.m.: Consolation semifinals in all classes

1:30 p.m.: Championship finals

What is the NFHS Network?

The NFHS Network covers 27 different regular-season and postseason sports nationwide. NFHS Network costs $13.99 per month or $79.99 per year.

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Coronado boys claim 5A state bowling title — PHOTOS

Published

1 day ago

February 13, 2026

Press Room

Coronado boys claim 5A state bowling title — PHOTOS

Coronado boys bowling coach Nicholas Elefantis wasn’t convinced he had a championship-caliber team through the first half of the regular season.

He gained hope midway through the year and became a full believer Friday.

Senior Michael Sims took down six pins in the final frame of the day’s last game and gave the sixth-seeded Cougars a 7-2 (2,382-2,376) victory over No. 3 Shadow Ridge in the 5A state bowling finals at the Orleans Bowling Center.

Following up on last year’s girls title, it was the second consecutive year for Coronado to bring home a crown.

“We lost some seniors after last year,” Elefantis said. “So I actually had doubts until we came back after winter break. We started stringing wins together and bowling together as a team.

“This group dug down deep and found something inside themselves.”

And that success involved knocking off powerhouses Palo Verde and Foothill in the tournament’s first two rounds.

“That’s a tall ask,” Elfantis said.

Sims, captain of the team that included Blake Miller, Yoo Nho Choi and Leo Cappiello, needed only to take down one pin in the 10th after the Mustangs left a pin standing in their half of the frame.

Determined not to put one in the gutter, he took down more than enough pins to seal it.

“Today I just fell back on all the work I had put in,” Sims said. “I knew I could do it no matter what.”

Elefantis said his team got some breaks that contributed to the victory.

“We had a little bit of extra luck today,” he said. “When it comes down to six pins, that’s anybody’s match.”

In 4A competition, Zach Miller, Harry Leppelmeier, Nolan Leppelmeier, Ashton Osbahr and Khalil Kirby teamed to give No. 1L Rancho the state crown with a 9-0 (2,503-2,266) victory over No. 2M Bishop Gorman.

Girls bowling

In the girls 5A title match, top-seeded Shadow Ridge dominated its way to a 9-0 (2,097-1852) victory over No. 3 Desert Oasis.

Jordynn Hernandez, Katrell Cloud-Mixon, Jaiyla Higgins and Tia Breeden took control from the start, quelling their coach’s fears of a fourth consecutive disappointing postseason.

“We’ve been really close the last three years,” Mustangs coach Jeremiah Baron said. “We were up in the finals by 84 pins three years ago, but let it slip sway.”

This time, the team was prepared.

“We talked a lot about how this is a team, and every frame is an opportunity to redeem yourself,” the coach said. “And to know if they miss a shot, just to flush it and move on.”

Baron credited Hernandez for recovering from a rough first round to lead the way Friday.

“She just thought she had to do it all,” Baron said. “We talked, and we got her to relax and just bowl. Today she kicked butt.”

In the 4A championship match, No. 1D Mojave claimed to the title by cruising past No. 2D The Meadows 9-0 (1,837-1,704).

Lindsay Guarano, Mariah McGuigan, Jesenya McGuigan, Sharon Serrano and Chaselynn Carruitero dominated the match from beginning to end for the Rattlers.

Contact Jeff Wollard at jwollard@reviewjournal.com.

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