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Fact check: What is the average length of stay for ICE detainees in Las Vegas NV?

Checked on August 25, 2025

1. Summary of the results

Based on the available analyses, there is no specific data for ICE detainees in Las Vegas, Nevada itself. However, the sources provide relevant information about ICE detention facilities in Nevada:

  • The Nevada Southern Detention Center in Pahrump (located outside Las Vegas) has an average length of stay of about 40 days according to jail staff [1]
  • Another source indicates this same facility has an average stay of more than six weeks [2]
  • For comparison, the Washoe County Jail has an average detention period of less than two weeks [2]
  • Nevada statewide has an average detention time of 30 days [3]
  • Nationally, ICE detainees had an average detention time of 31 days and a median of 11 days based on 2012 data [4] [3]

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks important context about Nevada's ICE detention infrastructure:

  • Las Vegas itself may not have a dedicated ICE detention facility - detainees are likely held at the Nevada Southern Detention Center in Pahrump, which is the primary facility serving the Las Vegas area [1] [2]
  • There are significant variations in detention times between different Nevada facilities, with Washoe County having much shorter stays than the southern facility [2]
  • The national context shows Nevada's detention times are close to the national average of 31 days [3]
  • Data limitations exist - some sources reference older data from 2012, and specific Las Vegas data appears unavailable [4] [3]

Stakeholders who benefit from different interpretations:

  • Immigration advocacy groups would benefit from highlighting longer detention times to argue for reform
  • ICE and detention facility operators might prefer to emphasize shorter national averages or medians
  • Local government officials could use facility-specific data to justify or critique detention policies

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question contains no inherent misinformation or bias - it's a straightforward factual inquiry. However, it may reflect incomplete understanding of the detention system geography:

  • The question assumes Las Vegas has its own ICE detention data, when detainees are likely processed through regional facilities like Pahrump [1] [2]
  • The framing doesn't account for the complexity of the detention system, where different facilities serve overlapping geographic areas with varying detention periods [2]
  • No temporal context is provided - detention times can vary significantly based on case complexity, legal representation, and policy changes over time [4] [3]
Want to dive deeper?
What is the current capacity of the Las Vegas ICE detention center?
How does the average length of stay for ICE detainees in Las Vegas compare to the national average in 2024?
What are the most common reasons for extended detention of ICE detainees in the Las Vegas facility?
Can ICE detainees in Las Vegas access legal counsel during their stay?
How does the Las Vegas ICE detention center address the mental health needs of its detainees?