Recognizing the essential role immigrants play in Nevada matters now more than ever as a radical plan for unprecedented and unsparing mass deportations takes shape on the campaign trail and in Washington.
Mass deportations would be disastrous for Nevada’s economy. As one Las Vegas Sun editorial put it, “the answer to Las Vegas’ impending economic crisis lies in immigration reform and streamlined access to work permits for undocumented immigrants and asylum seekers.” Immigrants in Nevada make up one-quarter of the workforce.
The contributions of immigrants are vital to Nevada’s economic strength and future prosperity
Immigrants account for 25% of Nevada’s workforce and make up large sections of key industries, like STEM and nursing:
- In 2018, 385,184 immigrants in Nevada comprised 25 percent of the total workforce.
- In 2022, 17.3 percent of STEM workers in Nevada were immigrants.
- In 2022, 24 percent of Nevada’s nurses were foreign born.
Immigrants play an outsized role in Nevada’s hospitality industry. According to the American Immigration Council, foreign-born workers in Nevada make up the following:
- 43% of hotel doormen, porters and front desk staff;
- 51% of restaurant line cooks; and
- 74% of hotel housekeepers.
Immigrants have contributed billions in tax revenue to Nevada and added billions to Nevada’s economy.
- In 2022, Nevada immigrants contributed $3.7 billion in federal taxes, and $1.4 billion in state and local taxes.
- In 2019, Las Vegas’s immigrant-led households paid $3.8 billion in federal and state taxes and had an estimated $12.5 billion in spending power.
- A study by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy found that unauthorized immigrants in Nevada contribute $507.1 million in combined state and local taxes annually.
The Nevada construction industry relies on immigrant workers for essential operations. As one Las Vegas Sun editorial put it – “This nation of immigrants now more than ever needs more immigrants”
- “Local business leaders are sounding the alarm about a severe threat to Las Vegas’ economic health and vitality. A shortage of more than 100,000 construction workers is crippling the region’s ability to build new homes, new businesses and new infrastructure that are vital for Las Vegas’ continued growth and prosperity.”
- “At a panel discussion co-hosted by the Latin Chamber of Commerce and the Nevada Office of New Americans, participants were unified in saying that the answer to Las Vegas’ impending economic crisis lies in immigration reform and streamlined access to work permits for undocumented immigrants and asylum seekers.”
The individual stories behind the numbers highlight the dedication of Nevada immigrants as they work to grow their businesses, strengthen Nevada’s economy, and create opportunity for their families.
- “The Hacienda, which opened last August in a former oak furniture outlet building, is owned by Mexican immigrant (now an American citizen) Elsa Martinez Kinzie and her husband Neal. In a recent interview, Elsa, who was born in Guadalajara, told me she came to the U.S. as a teenager with ‘big dreams.’”
- “His parents emigrated from Mexico to Las Vegas in the 1980s. Nava was born and raised in Las Vegas and grew up watching his parents adjust to new social norms, work in the hospitality industry, and help their three children attend and graduate from UNLV.”
- “‘I hope to graduate with a nursing degree, and use the healthcare experience I’ve gained through my internships and my coursework to continue to give back and help out disadvantaged populations of people. In addition to pursuing a nursing career, I plan to give back to my community by helping undocumented students and first-generation students apply to and attend college. I want to inspire these kids to not only make it a goal to go to college, but to graduate from college and pursue the career track of their dreams.’”
- ““Nayelli Rico-Lopez is gearing up for her first semester at college, something her parents knew and stressed the importance of, despite never getting there. ‘They just knew it was what would open doors for me,’ she said. Being an undocumented immigrant, Rico-Lopez knew she couldn’t apply for federal aid. But several other scholarships are providing her with a full-ride to Nevada State College, including TheDream.US.”
The Las Vegas Sands, A Fortune 500 Company, Was Founded By A Russian Immigrant:
- “Las Vegas Sands, the Nevada-based Fortune 500 gaming and hotel giant, was originally founded by Jakie Freedman, an immigrant from Russia. He fled home as a teenager to pursue the American dream, and worked for years in Texas oilfields before finding his calling in the hotel business.”
- “Combatting job shortages means hiring more people, but it isn’t that easy, especially for immigrants who make up one-fifth of Nevada’s labor force. Antonio Munoz, owner of 911 Taco Bar and Catering knows the struggles immigrants face all too well. His mom came to the U.S. in the 1980’s. Through amnesty, she was able to obtain her citizenship. ‘I’ve also had other family members here for 20 to 30 years that have been working and contributing back to the community, paying taxes, and until recently were able to establish some type of residency here and lived their American dream but it took them over 20 years,’ Munoz remarked.”
