Back in 2013, when Aaron Ford was a Democratic state senator, he co-sponsored a resolution called SJR15.
On the surface, it sounded harmless – Nevada “urging Congress to enact comprehensive immigration reform.”
But when you look closer, it’s the same song-and-dance we’ve heard from the political left for decades: amnesty dressed up as “earned legal residency.”
What SJR15 Really Said
The resolution wasn’t just about border security. It called for a pathway to citizenship for people who entered the country illegally.
Conservatives have long opposed that kind of policy because it rewards breaking the law.
SJR15 also asked for more family-based immigration, more worker immigration, and a promise of federal dollars to cover costs that would fall on states like Nevada.
Yes, the resolution threw in a few lines about enforcement and border security. But that was buried beneath the bigger push for legal status.
That’s the problem.
Conservatives believe border security must come first, not as a side note in a larger plan that opens the door wider.
Nevada’s Current Reality
Fast forward to today.
Nevada has one of the highest percentages of illegal immigrants in the country – close to 200,000 people. T
The Department of Justice recently slapped a “sanctuary state” label on Nevada, a tag that many state leaders dispute but can’t easily shake.
Meanwhile, President Trump’s administration is cracking down.
ICE has ramped up enforcement here, and Nevada law enforcement agencies have been pressured into cooperating more fully with federal immigration authorities.
The message is clear: Washington wants the law enforced, while Nevada politicians like Ford have a history of soft-pedaling the issue.
Why Ford’s Record Matters
Aaron Ford may be Nevada’s attorney general today, but his fingerprints are still on policies that helped create this mess.
By supporting resolutions like SJR15, Ford aligned himself with the “amnesty first, security later” crowd. That’s not just a bad look politically – it’s dangerous policy.
Think about it: Ford was willing to push for legal residency for those here illegally, but nowhere did SJR15 firmly commit Nevada to working closely with ICE or to rejecting sanctuary policies.
Conservatives know that without enforcement, promises of reform are meaningless.
And here’s the kicker: Nevada taxpayers are stuck with the bill.
Studies have shown that illegal immigration costs Nevada hundreds of millions of dollars a year in education, healthcare, and social services.
SJR15’s answer? Ask the federal government to send more money.
That’s not leadership. That’s passing the buck.
Where Nevadans Stand
Public opinion is complicated.
A slim majority of Nevadans – even some Republicans – say they support some form of legal status for people who have been here a long time, if strict background checks are in place.
But conservatives remain clear: border security comes first, and laws must be enforced.
In fact, polls consistently show that Republican voters want stronger cooperation with ICE, tougher penalties for businesses that hire illegal workers, and no sanctuary policies.
That stands in direct contrast to the type of policies Ford backed in the legislature.
The Bigger Picture
The debate over illegal immigration isn’t just about border towns in Texas or Arizona. It’s right here in Nevada – in our schools, our hospitals, and our job market.
Business owners complain about worker shortages in construction and hospitality, but the answer isn’t to look the other way on illegal immigration.
It’s to fix the system with real enforcement and a legal worker program that doesn’t undermine the rule of law.
Aaron Ford’s record shows where his priorities are. He had the chance to stand up for Nevada taxpayers and the rule of law.
Instead, he co-sponsored a resolution that leaned toward amnesty and bigger government bailouts.
That may play well with the national Democratic Party, but it doesn’t serve the people of Nevada.
At the end of the day, Ford’s “soft on illegal immigration” stance isn’t some ancient history.
It connects directly to today’s challenges, from sanctuary designations to the strain on local communities.
Conservatives in Nevada want accountability, border security, and the rule of law – not recycled amnesty schemes.
Aaron Ford may try to spin his record, but Nevadans shouldn’t forget: when he had the chance to put security first, he chose politics instead.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
