CARSON CITY, Nevada –
Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo has authorized the employment of a small contingent of Nevada National Guardsmen and women to respond to a federal request for assistance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
In May, DHS proactively sought support from the Department of Defense in coordination with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. By July, the DOD extended a request for assistance from the National Guard in 20 states, including Nevada.
The DHS request calls for up to 35 dedicated soldiers, representing a mere fraction — less than 1 percent — of the approximately 4,500 uniformed personnel within the Nevada National Guard. The Secretary of Defense has sanctioned the assignment through November 15, 2025. Each guardsman has volunteered, demonstrating their readiness to serve.
This effort is centered on vital clerical, administrative, and logistical support — ensuring there will be no direct contact with detainees, no law enforcement duties, and no weapons involved. Nevada National Guardsmen will engage in crucial tasks such as form filling, record maintenance, call handling, bookkeeping, report preparation, case management and vehicle maintenance.
Under Governor Lombardo’s leadership, Nevada stands firm in its commitment to uphold federal law and collaborate effectively with federal immigration authorities. By including these guardsmen in this essential administrative role, the Governor is optimizing federal resources within the state, allowing law enforcement officers to concentrate on their critical duties. This approach is vital for ensuring community safety and supporting the small businesses that are the backbone of our state’s economy.
Importantly, this activity will operate under Title 32 status, placing the governor in command while being fully federally funded — similar to the successful effort during COVID-19 in 2020, when up to 1,400 Nevada Guardsmen and women played a key role in supporting local health departments with testing and vaccination efforts.
This is different from Title 10 status, where the President mobilizes the National Guard for federal duty, as seen in Los Angeles in July when President Trump deployed 4,000 California Guardsmen to support federal immigration officials. Thus, the role of the Nevada National Guard in this effort is significantly different in terms of size and scope. Unlike in California, Governor Lombardo and Brigadier General Waters will maintain full control over the Nevada National Guard.