BAKER, Nev. — In the stark landscapes of eastern Nevada, the ranch owned by Janille and Tom Baker showcases quintessential Americana, with its cattle grazing among desert scrub and majestic snow-capped mountains. However, the Bakers face a significant challenge: finding American workers to help manage their operations.
Their ranch produces approximately 10,000 tons of hay each year and intertwines cowboy traditions with a sense of Manifest Destiny. Wildlife is abundant, outnumbering humans, and at night, the sky is so clear that one can count the stars. Yet, the Bakers’ ability to sustain their ranch heavily relies on an agricultural guest worker program that allows Mexican immigrants to work for about nine months annually, particularly during the sweltering summer months when the temperature can rise above 100°F (37.8°C).
“When people say that foreign workers are taking jobs away, I just can’t comprehend it,” remarked Janille Baker, who oversees the ranch’s finances. “Every industry is in search of help. The anti-immigration sentiment doesn’t resonate with me because if there’s such a need for workers, where do they expect to fill those roles?” The ranch adheres to federal regulations that require listing job openings, with a priority for U.S. citizens. However, in the past six years, only two Americans have expressed interest, and one person who visited chose to leave after assessing the demands of the job.
Immigration has emerged as a pivotal issue for voters in the upcoming presidential election and has the potential to shape the future of the nation in significantly different ways. In Nevada, where nearly 19% of the population is foreign-born and around 9% of the workforce lacks U.S. legal status, the implications are profound. While the surge of unauthorized border crossings has placed a strain on municipal and state resources, particularly in traditionally Democratic areas, immigration has also driven job creation that bolsters both the economy and the federal budget.
The political discourse surrounding immigration might appear straightforward, yet the complexities lie deep beneath the surface, especially in Nevada. Voters are likely to prioritize this topic in the forthcoming election, determining their stance on either the hardline measures proposed by former President Donald Trump, which include mass deportations, or the more compassionate approach advocated by Vice President Kamala Harris, which calls for a pathway to citizenship for millions of undocumented residents who have been in the country for years.
Roughly 300 miles south of Baker Ranch, the vibrant city of Las Vegas presents a different aspect of the immigration debate. With nearly 41 million visitors last year, the city faces a similar issue characterized by fear and uncertainty among its immigrant population. “People are afraid,” shared Nancy Valenzuela, a 48-year-old maid at a casino, who identified concerns about deportation looming over the undocumented. Valenzuela plans to support Harris in the election, while fellow El Salvadoran immigrant Haydee Zetino, who maintains temporary protected status and cannot vote, fears for her community’s future. “We’re essential to this economy,” she stated, emphasizing the significant roles immigrants play in sustaining the workforce.
The potential consequences of a Trump-led deportation effort could be dire, possibly leading to a workforce shortage comparable to the job losses experienced during the 2008 financial crisis. In Nevada, more than 10% of homes contain at least one undocumented resident, leaving a significant portion of the population vulnerable. “Our 24-hour economy heavily relies on immigrants,” commented Peter Guzman, president of the Latin Chamber of Commerce in Nevada.
Harris has promoted measures for humane treatment of migrants, particularly families and children at the border, while also advocating for citizenship pathways for longstanding immigrants. She has pledged to revive a bipartisan immigration enforcement package stalled during Trump’s presidency. Recent decisions from the Biden administration have imposed new asylum restrictions as challenges at the border persist. Notably, Harris has recently emphasized the importance of tougher policies, despite a decrease in arrests relating to illegal border crossings.
Polling data indicates that Trump holds a slight edge over Harris regarding voter trust in handling immigration issues, leading the vice president to moderate her stance on the topic to appeal to centrist voters. Many immigrants recognize the issues related to border security, yet they argue that the focus is overly narrow and doesn’t address the needs of those who are already living and contributing in the U.S.
Erika Marquez, an immigrant rights organizer for Make the Road Nevada, stressed that the emphasis is misplaced. “Our attention should shift toward the individuals already here rather than solely the border issues,” she argued. According to the Pew Research Center, an estimated 11 million individuals currently reside in the U.S. without legal status. States like California and Texas possess larger populations in this category, but Nevada’s pivotal status as a swing state amplifies the potential for higher electoral stakes.
Clark County, which includes Las Vegas, accounts for approximately 75% of Nevada’s population and is a critical area for hospitality workers, many of whom are supported by powerful unions like the Culinary Union that has endorsed Harris. Meanwhile, Trump seeks to engage infrequent voters in rural and conservative areas, while Reno’s Washoe County remains a competitive region in elections. Voters in Nevada also have the option to select “None of the above,” indicating the electorate’s unpredictable nature.
Maria Nieto, the Young Democrats of Nevada president, shared her journey as a recipient of deferred action protections. She now aims to empower others to engage in the election process through her experiences, emphasizing the need to understand the human aspects of such policies.
The repercussions of the election results could significantly affect jobs and the economy in Nevada. Research from Warwick J. McKibbin, an economics professor, highlighted the need for immigrant workers across various sectors, indicating that mass deportations could drastically affect the national economy and Nevada specifically.
Moreover, the current workforce comprises those authorized for employment in the U.S. and the potential for job losses could reach nearly as high as those experienced during the Great Recession. Individuals like Zetino and others with temporary status are often left out of discussions surrounding immigration reform.
Trump has continuously framed border security as a critical issue, often labeling migrants as a threat. However, he has also promoted legal pathways for qualified workers, maintaining a dual stance on immigration. Yet, recent rhetoric has stirred tensions, leaving many individuals in fear of a potential backlash.
Former North Las Vegas Mayor John Lee, a Trump supporter, has recognized the labor shortages while maintaining differentiation between legal and undocumented immigrants. However, some conservatives warn about the potential economic fallout stemming from stricter policies and advocate for expanding guest worker programs.
Florisela López Rivera, a Culinary Workers Union member and permanent resident, echoes the need for compassion in political conversations surrounding immigration. As a Harris supporter, she actively engages with those who express admiration for Trump, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a human connection amidst heated rhetoric.
While voters across the political spectrum advocate for stronger border security, caution arises that mass deportations could destabilize essential industries in Nevada and beyond. Marquez of Make the Road Nevada highlights the importance of understanding the diverse experiences and contributions of immigrants in the workforce, challenging misconceptions that often skew public perception.
A recent survey revealed that a significant portion of both Republican and Democratic voters support stricter immigration measures, although they struggle to reconcile these views with the realities faced by immigrant communities. Back at Baker Ranch, the H-2A visa program keeps operations running smoothly while hardworking immigrants perform tedious agricultural tasks. The rising number of participants could change depended on the dynamics of future immigration policies.
Tom Baker, who co-manages the ranch with his family, acknowledges that without immigrant labor, operations would be untenable. Despite regulatory frustrations, he expresses the urgent need for a rational discussion on immigration that alleviates fears rather than inflaming them. “A resolution must be sought,” he concluded, “One cannot merely perpetuate a cycle of fear without addressing the underlying needs of those who are willing to do the work.”