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Two Nevada Senators have recently introduced the PUBLIC SAFETY Act that intends to shift ICE funding to local police, instead, in an effort to make communities safer. According to the two senators, this act seeks to help encourage residents to report crimes without the fear of triggering an immigration raid. It also seeks to help curb recent demonstrations that have been ongoing since the death of Renee Good, a 37-year-old citizen, and rein in the agency that seems to have taken things too far in recent months.
This act specifically seeks to reallocate around $29.85 billion from ICE to the COPS Hiring Program. This program covers 75% of entry-level salaries for three years for new officers.
Another $45 billion, which is set to go towards expanding ICE detention capacity, will be reallocated to the Byrne JAG program. This program supports crime victim services, prevention efforts, and ongoing officer training.
Despite these funding shifts, ICE would still receive its regular appropriations under the new act, which currently amounts to around $10 billion. This level of funding matches traditional, historical funding of ICE. In other words, this act doesn’t take anything away from ICE’s regular appropriations, but it does reallocate all the additional funds that were intended to continue to fund ICE activities.
The goal of this act is to highlight how ICE’s $74.85 billion in supplemental funding over the past four years has created the current, tense atmosphere. It has helped propel a mass deportation campaign that has taken away from investigations regarding serious crimes like child exploitation and terrorism.
Recent data confirms this allegation, showing that Homeland Security Investigations logged 33% fewer hours on child cases last year than normal.
If you live in Nevada and you’re concerned about potential problems with ICE or criminal accusations, then the first thing you should do is get informed regarding your rights.
If you get detained or questioned by a police officer or ICE agent, then know that you always have the right to request an attorney. There’s one important difference, though. If you’re getting accused of a crime, then you have the right to free legal representation. If you are being detained by ICE, then you still have the right to legal representation, but you will need to pay for these costs on your own. There is a chance that you might be able to find a local lawyer who is willing to work pro bono (for free) on your case.
You also have the right to remain silent, regardless of your immigration status. You do have to disclose your name, though. You have the right to refuse a search unless agents have a signed search warrant, and you have the right to refuse to sign any documents before you talk with a lawyer.
Here at LV Criminal Defense, our team of attorneys has extensive experience helping Las Vegas residents defend themselves against criminal accusations.
If you need help with your case, then contact us now for a free legal consultation. You can get in touch by leaving your contact information on our online form.
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