The Impact of Immigration Crackdowns on Las Vegas Tourism
The tightening of immigration policies under the Trump administration has sparked concerns among local leaders and workers in Las Vegas, particularly within the tourism and hospitality sectors. These industries are heavily reliant on immigrant labor, and recent changes have created a climate of fear and uncertainty.
In Nevada, approximately 25 percent of the workforce was born outside the United States, which is significantly higher than the national average of 17 percent. This makes the state especially vulnerable to shifts in immigration policy. In the tourism sector, immigrants play a crucial role, with 74 percent of hotel housekeepers and 51 percent of restaurant line cooks being foreign-born. These numbers highlight the deep integration of immigrant workers into the city’s economy.
Local activists report that Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) officers are detaining around 40 percent more people per day in South Nevada compared to last year. Notably, 69 percent of those detained have no criminal convictions. This surge in enforcement has led to widespread anxiety among workers and business owners.
Ted Pappageorge, secretary treasurer of the Culinary Workers Union, emphasized the critical role of immigrant workers in the hospitality industry. “This industry cannot function without immigrant workers,” he warned. He also highlighted the growing fear among workers, noting that many are now hesitant to come to work or report for shifts.
Michael Kagan, director of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Immigration Clinic, observed a significant increase in calls to his organization, with requests more than tripling. He described the fear as “incredibly destructive” to both the community and the economy.
A clear example of this fear is the closure of Broadacres Marketplace, a popular open-air market in north Las Vegas. The market has been closed since June 21 to protect vendors and customers from potential immigration raids.
The economic impact is also evident. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority reported a 6.5 percent drop in visitors in May compared to the same month in 2024, with hotels seeing a 5.7 percent decrease in revenue. This trend mirrors a broader decline in foreign tourist spending across the U.S., projected to fall by 7 percent this year due in part to fears of detention or border issues.
While the Convention and Visitors Authority did not directly link the decline to immigration fears, citing overall economic challenges such as Trump’s tariffs, local union leaders like Pappageorge noted a sharp drop in visits from Canadian and Mexican customers. Latino visitors, in particular, are described as “fearful and nervous.”
Pappageorge expressed concerns about potential layoffs as businesses face reduced revenue. “When that happens, that means our visitation is down and companies are looking at potential layoffs. Our members are quite nervous about that,” he said.
The Trump administration has targeted hotels, restaurants, and farms for immigration raids as part of its campaign promise of “mass deportations.” This strategy has had far-reaching consequences, affecting not only the workers but also the broader economy of Las Vegas and beyond.
