URGENT UPDATE: The ACLU of Nevada is taking decisive action against the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) after the shocking revelation that LVMPD transferred their client, Sergio Morais-Hechavarria, to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) without notice, defying a court order. This incident, which occurred on October 16, follows the ACLU’s recent lawsuit filed on Morais-Hechavarria’s behalf.
The ACLU argues that this handover not only undermines a Nevada district court’s mandate but also threatens the separation of powers essential to state governance. The organization highlights that Morais-Hechavarria was sent to ICE custody immediately after the lawsuit was filed, raising serious questions about LVMPD’s adherence to legal protocols.
Athar Haseebullah, Executive Director of ACLU Nevada, condemned the actions of LVMPD, stating,
“LVMPD releasing Mr. Morais-Hechavarria into ICE custody immediately after we filed a legal challenge to their unlawful cooperation with ICE is egregious.”
This transfer circumvents a judicial order mandating Morais-Hechavarria to begin an inpatient treatment program.
The ACLU’s legal challenge scrutinizes the controversial agreement between LVMPD and ICE that allows local officers to act as federal immigration enforcers without explicit consent from the state legislature. Haseebullah characterized this arrangement as a severe violation of Morais-Hechavarria’s rights and a significant threat to civil liberties for all Nevadans.
This troubling incident has escalated discussions about federal overreach and the implications for due process in Nevada. LVMPD’s cooperation with ICE has faced scrutiny in the past, but this case elevates concerns beyond procedural misconduct to potential jurisdictional overreach.
A spokesperson for LVMPD confirmed that Morais-Hechavarria is no longer under the jurisdiction of the Clark County Detention Center but has provided limited comments due to the pending lawsuit. Notably, Morais-Hechavarria’s attorney, Sadmira Ramic, was not informed of her client’s release or transfer to the El Paso (Texas) Service Processing Center, a significant oversight that the ACLU asserts is a violation of due process.
As this situation unfolds, the ACLU is pushing for immediate accountability and legal reform to safeguard the rights of individuals against unjust actions by law enforcement. The implications of this case resonate deeply within the community, highlighting the ongoing struggle for civil rights in the face of federal immigration enforcement.
Stay tuned for live updates as this urgent story develops.
