Harris-Walz and the Latino dream in Nevada

By Nevada State Senator Edgar Flores*

Sep 20, 2024, 1:52 PM EDT

As we approach the 2024 election, we find ourselves at a pivotal moment. The Latino community in Nevada has already shown enthusiasm for the Harris-Walz ticket, driven by a shared desire for change and our longing for leaders who respect the lived experiences of hardworking immigrants in Nevada. This is more than a political moment for Nevada—it is deeply personal. We need leaders who will stand up for our families, honor our contributions, and fulfill the promise of a better future for all.

Now, the Harris-Walz campaign has a critical opportunity to seize this moment by putting forward a popular vision for immigration reform that incorporates Vice President Harris’ record securing the border, but more importantly highlights what she has done to fight for immigrant families and elevates her vision by offering a path to citizenship if elected president.

This approach supports the Democrats’ starkest contrast to Trump’s mass deportation agenda — one that elevates Harris-Walz’s commitment to keeping Nevada families together.

With the threat of mass deportations and the termination of DACA on the horizon, mixed-status families in Nevada are worried. Their families and their economic well-being are at risk. The Harris-Walz campaign has an opportunity to directly address these concerns and renew the promise to fix our immigration system by offering a path to citizenship for hardworking immigrants. It’s not just good law, it’s good policy. A poll by Global Strategy Group and BSP found that 82% of voters in battleground states and 86% of Latino voters support pathways to citizenship.

By continuing to advocate for pathways to citizenship, like the Keeping Families Together Program, the Harris-Walz campaign can continue to demonstrate that they are committed to advancing serious solutions. For Nevada’s immigrant communities, these solutions would offer the opportunity to live and work without fear, to come out of the shadows and fully participate in the American dream. Every family deserves that opportunity.

Not only will this vision resonate with Latino voters who will need to mobilize to win in Nevada, but it also provides a stark contrast to the Trump-Vance ticket, whose immigration agenda—focused on mass deportations and policies that separate families—is not only extremist but also deeply disconnected from what voters want. Latino families in Nevada and across the country remember all too well the trauma of family separations and the widespread fear that gripped our communities under Trump. We have seen what it means to live with uncertainty and the constant worry that a loved one could be taken from us.

The Harris-Walz campaign must continue to draw sharp lines between its compassionate and inclusive vision and Trump’s dangerous and divisive rhetoric that is deeply unpopular with a majority of voters in battleground states like Nevada (58% oppose), especially Latinos (69% oppose). By emphasizing her commitment to keeping families together and treating immigrants with the dignity they deserve, Harris-Walz can connect with Latino voters who are eager for leaders who reflect our values ​​and our dreams for a better future.

Let’s remember: this election is about us. It’s about our friends, neighbors, coworkers and families who feel the impact of these decisions every day.

As a Latino leader in Nevada, he urged the Harris-Walz campaign to continue to seize this moment. By offering a bold vision for immigration reform, they have the power to inspire and mobilize the key voters needed to win in November and lay the groundwork for a more just and inclusive America.

I believe that with strong, compassionate leadership, a fair and effective immigration system is not only possible but within our reach. Let’s build it together.