A new panel in Las Vegas is warning that President Donald Trump’s tougher immigration cleanup could hurt Nevada’s economy.
But most Nevadans realize the real problem isn’t the immigration crackdown.
It’s the fact that our state has grown far too dependent on illegal labor in the first place.
Nevada’s economy is built on hospitality, construction, and service jobs. Those jobs matter.
But a system that quietly relies on people who are here illegally is a system that was broken long before Trump stepped in.
The Alarm Bells From Illegal Immigration Advocates
At a Nov. 6 event hosted by FWD.us and Dream Big Nevada, speakers blamed Trump’s enforcement for shrinking the workforce.
They said immigrants are scared to show up for work or visit the doctor, for fear of being deported. Maria Praeli from FWD.us said immigrants make up a quarter of Nevada’s workforce.
Her group says immigrant workers bring in more than $20 billion to the state economy and play a major role in construction, transportation and agriculture.
These groups also argue that tougher enforcement will raise prices.
One FWD.us report claims American families could pay about $2,000 more each year because of deportations and fewer work permits.
Conservatives See It Very Differently
Most conservatives in Nevada hear those warnings and shake their heads.
Not because we don’t care about our economy; we do.
But we also care about something that should be common sense: our country has laws, and our government should actually enforce them.
It’s not cruel. It’s fair to the millions of people who followed the rules.
The panel’s whole argument turns the problem upside down. Employers shouldn’t be using illegal labor to begin with.
Nevada Needs Workers – But Legal Ones
Nevada is a state full of hardworking people.
Construction workers. Hotel employees. Kitchen crews. Teachers. Ranchers. Small business owners.
These people play by the rules. They get their licenses. They pay taxes.
So when groups say Nevada’s economy will collapse if illegal workers go home, many residents take offense.
It suggests Nevada cannot compete unless it bends the rules. It suggests American workers aren’t good enough.
And it sends the message that the only way to keep prices down is to ignore the law.
It’s simply not true.
Nevada has always thrived when the rules are the same for everyone.
When workers are here legally.
When employers hire openly and honestly.
America Can Welcome Immigrants the Right Way
America has always welcomed immigrants, Nevada especially.
People come here from all over the world to build a better life.
Conservatives are not against legal immigration. In fact, I’d argue most support it strongly.
What they don’t support is a shadow system where people without legal status fill entire industries, and politicians tell us that enforcing the law is somehow the problem.
Even the FWD.us report admits many of the workers being affected are individuals with uncertain or temporary status.
That is not the fault of Trump or ICE. That is the fault of a broken system that Congress refuses to fix.
A Healthy Economy Needs a Secure Border
Nevada shouldn’t rely on illegal labor. And if someone is here without legal status, they should follow the law and return home.
Trump’s enforcement actions are not creating the problem. They’re exposing it.
Nevada can grow. Nevada can thrive. Nevada can have a strong workforce without ignoring federal law.
The state’s future will be stronger if we build it on legal workers, fair hiring, and a system everyone can trust.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. Digital technology was used in the research, writing, and production of this article. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
