Minden, Nevada – On February 19, 2025, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) signed the Warrant Service Officer (WSO) Model of Section 287(g)—a provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act that permits federal agreements with state and local law enforcement agencies. Under this model, designated officers are granted legal authority to execute civil immigration warrants within our detention facilities.
Clarifying Misreporting
Recent media reports have incorrectly suggested that DCSO entered into the Task Force Model of Section 287(g), implying an expanded role that goes beyond jail operations. To be clear:
- Scope of Application: The WSO Model program applies exclusively to individuals who have been arrested and booked into the Douglas County Jail.
- No Community Enforcement: It does not authorize deputies to conduct immigration enforcement in the community, nor does it permit immigration raids, street-level checks, or targeting individuals based on perceived immigration status.
Procedures
DCSO has a longstanding history of cooperating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as part of our standard booking procedures. Under the new formalized 287(g) agreement:
- Training and Guidelines: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) now provides specialized training and clear guidelines regarding ICE detainers.
- Standardized Process: Previously, ICE was simply notified when a foreign-born individual was booked. Under the new agreement, when an individual who is foreign-born is arrested and booked into the Douglas County Jail, ICE will be notified. ICE will then assess the individual’s immigration status and determine whether they are subject to removal from the United States. If deemed necessary, ICE may place a detainer on the individual.
Commitment to Fair Policing
It is important to note that DCSO will not:
- Conduct immigration enforcement operations such as “immigration sweeps.”
- Stop or question individuals solely to determine their immigration status.
- Ask victims or witnesses of crimes about their immigration status.
Immigration status will only be reviewed during the standard booking process following an arrest.
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office remains dedicated to ensuring public safety while upholding the law in a fair and impartial manner for all members of our community.