Under Watch: How new immigration mandates are reshaping life in Reno

Link to Full Article - Published with This is Reno Newspaper

In July 2025, sweeping federal changes to immigration enforcement began reshaping communities across the U.S. Reno is no exception. 

For many immigrant families, recent legislation and presidential mandates have intensified fear and uncertainty. At the same time, public institutions and local organizations are scrambling to respond. 

With Executive Order 14159 and the passing of H.R.1 (“One Big Beautiful Bill”), enforcement protocols have drastically expanded. Previously protected areas, such as schools, churches and hospitals, are now accessible to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers.

The federal government introduced arrest quotas — 3,000 per day — and ICE has intensified collaboration with local law enforcement through an increase in 287(g) agreements.

The administration’s decision to freeze Title III and Adult Education funding has triggered a rise in psychological pressures and safety concerns, spurring two federal lawsuits. 

As a result of all the legislative changes, many programs supporting immigrant families in Reno are now shrinking or shutting down, and many immigrants are growing increasingly anxious as ICE officers arrest and deport people with no criminal record and who are legally in the United States.

Protesters outside the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office and jail during a peaceful demonstration against ICE, July 11, 2020. Image: Trevor Bexon

The psychological pressure

Medical and mental health service locations are shifting from places of safety and growth to ones of fear and possible threats of deportation. 

Recent surveys report 43% of immigrants describe worsening physical health symptoms due to fearing deportation — a fear the population shares publicly. Immigrant youth are experiencing high levels of anxiety, as well as 59% fearing deportation of someone close to them.

With Executive Order 14159 suspending protections in sensitive locations, mental health facilities are also now accessible to ICE at any time. This has been causing unprecedented fear and stress, as well as hesitation for undocumented residents to attend public gathering places.

Steve Robles Ramirez, a former student liaison at Northern Nevada Literacy Council, said, “The fear of ICE is creating major barriers for people to not only connect with their community but also access services that are vital to their well-being.” 

Many organizations are helping immigrants who need either crisis intervention or mental health services, such as Northern Nevada International Center, Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada (PLAN) and Tu Casa Latina.  

Understanding fears 

Accessing emergency services is also becoming something to fear, and some immigrants who find themselves in critical condition are forgoing medical attention for fear of being arrested or deported. 

“The choice to go to the ER in an emergency or to call for an ambulance would be nerve-wrecking if one looks the part, has an accent, or a loose grasp of the English language,” said Anthony Lujan, a citizen who is deeply involved in Reno’s recovery community.

“The majority of the immigrant population knows someone who is living in fear.” 

Recent data shows that roughly one in five immigrant adults avoided medical care in the past year until the situation became severe due to fear of ICE encounters. A literature review cites 69% of undocumented immigrants avoid seeking care due to fearing confrontation with immigration.

Individuals fearing emergency services can use organizations that can help assist in these matters, including Catholic Charities’ St. Marguerite Services, Tu Casa Latina and the College of Southern Nevada’s curated list of Northern Nevada Emergency Services.

Know your rights

Now that Executive Order 14159 has gone into effect, there will be drastic shifts in locations that are safe and protected.

Executive Order 14159 suspends protections in “sensitive locations” and expands expedited removal. Sensitive locations, including schools, churches and hospitals, are now accessible to immigration officials at any time.

NNLC’s former employee Robles Ramirez states, “On a community level, there should be immediate mobilization to inform everyone of their rights when encountering ICE.” 

Immigrants have a set of rights that protect them at all times. Rights include remaining silent, denying entry into one’s home unless a warrant is present and requesting a lawyer for legal counsel. 

The Nevada Immigrant Coalition (NIC) dedicates its entire online platform to providing information that helps immigrants understand their rights and prepare for potential encounters with ICE. 

Another free resource is the ICE Block app, which offers individuals a free way to report real-time ICE sightings in their area anonymously. 

Organizations that are assisting immigrants with legal representation and advice include Catholic Charities – Mother Cabrini Legal Services, Washoe Legal Services and Northern Nevada Legal Aid.

ICE agents at times wear vests that say POLICE and ICE, which some say can lead immigrants to fear local police officers as well. Image: Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Heightened surveillance 

ICE is using surveillance and tracking more extensively, escalating its reach through GPS ankle monitors and facial recognition technology.

287(g) Partnerships are also in motion, stating that 866 local agencies nationwide can now enforce federal immigration laws. Nevada expects sign-ons soon.

As immigrants learn of the extensive changes that have come to fruition since the sweep of the Northern Nevada area in May 2025, knowing their fundamental rights to protect themselves in the face of ICE is considered paramount. Families are actively drafting emergency custody plans for their children in case authorities detain the parents.

Nonprofits like ACLU Nevada, PLAN and the Northern Nevada Dream Center are offering legal clinics, know-your-rights training, and emotional support groups for immigrants and citizens who require assistance.

Truckee Meadows Community College. Image: Ty O’Neil / This Is Reno.

Education interrupted

At Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC), adult ESL (English as a second language) and citizenship prep courses are experiencing a decline in enrollment due to concerns about exposure.

Additionally, the Trump administration’s cuts to federal funding, which previously covered the entire budget for these programs, are drastically decreasing opportunities for foreigners to learn English in Reno.

These federal changes have also impacted the Washoe County School District’s staffing and educational programs. Officials have panicked over the withholding of Title III funding, spurring two federal lawsuits. Funds have since been unfrozen, but it is only for the next fiscal year. There is no confirmation on what parameters WSCD needs to meet for funding to continue.

Significant cuts of Title III funding would lead to a decrease in ESL assistance and development. As a result, a substantial reduction in adequate support in the school system in Northern Nevada is expected. 

With Executive Order 14224, the state is scrambling to support students and citizens alike. The order designated English as the official U.S. language, revoking prior requirements for federally funded programs to provide language support services to students and agencies throughout the country. 

“This is a time of unease as students read and hear about scary scenarios consistently,” said Rain Donohue, TMCC’s Academic Services Coordinator. “The majority of the immigrant population knows someone who is living in fear.” 

How schools are preparing for ICE visits

Carina Black, Northern Nevada International Center

TMCC and the University of Nevada, Reno are both distributing the “Know Your Rights” cards in all languages, so every student is aware of their rights if ICE comes on campus.

Carina Black, executive director of NNIC said, “We have partnered with local organizations… offering people services to have all their paperwork in order, have powers of attorney ready, and have a plan for children, pets and their homes,” 

NNIC has established a Youth Mentoring Program, which supports refugee and immigrant youth’s leadership, social skills and access to community services. The center also contributes efforts towards Refugee Resettlement, which supports integration and bolsters a sense of community security for new arrivals.

Moving forward 

As ICE enforcement tightens and legal pathways constrict, communities like Reno and Sparks are at a moral crossroads: How do we protect our neighbors while navigating federal mandates? 

Antonio, an undocumented local resident, said, “Nevada has acted as a sanctuary state for a long time. This is the time to reach out to local agencies that can help. Be safe and make connections that will protect you, your families and your friends.”

Local leaders are also calling for more municipal protections, from anti-cooperation ordinances to increased funding for immigrant legal aid.

The laws may be federal, but the impact is local. From a teenager too afraid to go to school, to a grandmother skipping her clinic appointment, every policy shift can dramatically impact everyday life.