ACLU uncovers encrypted Signal chats between Nevada DMV and ICE in explosive lawsuit

The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a lawsuit against the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles after discovering evidence of secret encrypted communications between DMV staff and federal immigration agents, raising alarm about potential illegal data sharing of Nevada drivers’ personal information.

Six months of stonewalling leads to legal action

The ACLU of Nevada filed the lawsuit Friday in Carson City’s First Judicial District Court after the DMV repeatedly refused to release public records about its communications and policies regarding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Since February 2025, the civil rights organization submitted multiple public records requests seeking transparency about DMV-ICE cooperation. The DMV initially denied all requests, claiming no such records existed and asserting they “do not work with ICE.”

Only after the ACLU sent a formal demand letter through Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford’s office did the agency release what the ACLU calls “incomplete, heavily-redacted records” that contradicted the DMV’s earlier denials.

Encrypted chats raise serious legal concerns

The partially released documents revealed bombshell evidence: references to Signal group chats between DMV and ICE staff. Signal is an encrypted messaging app with auto-delete features that makes conversations virtually untraceable – raising questions about whether government officials are deliberately circumventing Nevada’s public records laws.

“Signal is an encrypted communications app that makes communication between parties nearly untraceable,” said ACLU Executive Director Athar Haseebullah at Friday’s press conference. “Governor Lombardo must make all records between the Nevada DMV and ICE transparent to the public without redactions to best protect the privacy interests of Nevadans.”

The redacted emails show ICE agents providing the DMV with names, dates of birth, and driver’s license numbers of specific individuals they were seeking, with DMV staff apparently responding to these requests without any mention of warrants or subpoenas.

Nevada’s unique vulnerability

Nevada is one of 19 states that issues driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants through its driver authorization card program. State law explicitly prohibits the DMV from releasing personal information for immigration enforcement purposes, making any cooperation with ICE potentially illegal.

The DMV maintains one of Nevada’s largest repositories of personal data, including:

• Home addresses
• Vehicle registration information
• Appointment times and locations
• Photographs and physical descriptions
• Immigration status indicators

“Let me be clear. If you cannot operate in transparency, you’re not protecting the people,” said Assemblywoman Cecelia González, chair of the Nevada Latino Legislative Caucus. “You are hiding from the people that you so say you represent.”

DHS launches immediate counterattack

In an unusual Saturday statement, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin attacked the ACLU, calling their allegations “frivolous and false.” The statement bizarrely claimed the ACLU’s source was “a murderer” without providing any evidence or context.

Haseebullah called the DHS response “insane” and said “none of what they’re saying makes any sense,” suggesting the federal government’s aggressive reaction indicates the lawsuit has struck a nerve.

DMV refuses comment as lawsuit proceeds

DMV spokesperson Hailey Foster declined to comment on the allegations, citing ongoing litigation. “We understand the public interest in this matter. However, because it is currently the subject of active litigation, we are not in a position to comment at this time.”

The ACLU is seeking:

• Court order requiring full release of all DMV-ICE communications
• Complete disclosure of any Signal group chats between agencies
• Independent state investigation of all cooperation
• Civil penalties for violating Nevada’s public records laws
• Declaration that DMV “willfully violated” transparency requirements

Broader immigration enforcement context

The lawsuit comes as Governor Joe Lombardo, a Republican, authorized deployment of up to 35 Nevada National Guard members to assist federal immigration enforcement – though officials claim guardsmen will only perform “clerical, administrative and logistical support” through November 15.

Several Nevada police departments, including Las Vegas Metropolitan Police, maintain active partnerships with ICE through which local officers are deputized to carry out federal immigration duties.

“Public records are critical,” said ACLU senior staff attorney Sadmira Ramic. “When an agency refuses to release them, it denies Nevadans their right to know how their government operates.”

The case highlights growing tensions over immigration enforcement cooperation as Nevada’s immigrant community faces increased scrutiny despite the state’s lack of official “sanctuary” policies.

Image Sources: https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/aclu-sues-nevada-dmv-over-184900277.html

Category: Politics
Subcategory: Immigration Policy
Date: 08/19/2025