Immigration crackdown blamed for ‘Trump slump’ in Las Vegas tourism, unions say

Immigration crackdown blamed for ‘Trump slump’ in Las Vegas tourism, unions say

Visitor declines and rising job insecurity in hospitality
Nevada’s largest labor union and frontline workers say the Trump administration’s immigration stance is contributing to a downturn in Las Vegas tourism, including a sharp drop in international visitors. Overall visitation to Las Vegas fell 11.3% in June 2025 compared with the same month a year earlier. International arrivals to one of the world’s leading tourist hubs declined 13% in June, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. Workers report mounting layoffs across departments as hotels and casinos adjust to lower traffic and softer bookings.

Housekeeper Norma Torres, an eight-year veteran at Mandalay Bay and a Culinary Union member, said on-call staff in housekeeping are “barely getting called to work.” Canada remains Nevada’s largest international source market, but carriers have cut back amid weakening demand. Canadian budget airline Flair reported a 55% year-over-year drop in passengers to Las Vegas. Air Canada said passenger counts to Las Vegas declined 13.2% from May to June and were down by roughly a third versus last year.

Enforcement climate and fears dampening travel

Union officials link the slump to a tougher enforcement environment and broader policy volatility. Reports have alleged that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were pushed to make 3,000 arrests per day, a quota the administration has denied. Nevertheless, officials have pursued measures that revoke immigration statuses, delay action for childhood arrivals, and restrict humanitarian programs. Culinary Workers Union Local 226 secretary-treasurer Ted Pappageorge argued that messaging and enforcement are discouraging travel: “If you tell the rest of the world you’re not welcome, they’ll listen.”

Pappageorge said ICE operations, trade disputes with key partners, and worries that tariffs will squeeze personal finances are deterring potential visitors. He cited feedback from workers and guests, saying the situation is being described by members as a “Trump recession.” The union underscores that sustained uncertainty—about border entry, costs, and policy direction—adds to hesitancy among travelers who might otherwise choose Las Vegas for short-haul trips and leisure spending.

Impact across key feeder markets
Union leaders say the headwinds are evident among Canadians and Mexicans, traditionally reliable segments for the Strip and downtown properties. “There are Canadians who have said, ‘We’re going to go somewhere else,’” Pappageorge noted, adding that Mexican visitors have also pulled back. The biggest share of visitors comes from Southern California, but the union says trips from that region have also waned amid concerns about raids, tariffs, and a weakening economy.

The Culinary Union emphasizes the breadth and diversity of its membership to illustrate the wider stakes for the local economy. It represents 60,000 workers in Las Vegas and Reno, with members originating from 178 countries and speaking 40 languages; 45% are immigrants. Across Nevada, immigrants make up nearly a quarter (24%) of the workforce, and an even larger proportion within leisure and hospitality. The union estimates immigrants contribute about $20.2 billion annually to the state’s economy, underlining how shifts in policy and travel behavior reverberate through employment and spending.

Workers with DACA and TPS describe heightened anxiety
Torres, who was born in Mexico, has Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status, created in 2012 for those brought to the U.S. as children. She said she fears the administration’s approach could jeopardize her protection. Before DACA, she described living in constant fear; after receiving it, she was able to work freely and raise her daughters. Now, she worries that changes to DACA and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) could upend her life, including the possibility of being stopped while driving and separated from her U.S.-born children.

Another worker, Nery Martínez, a server at Caesar’s Palace and a decade-long member of Local 226, has lived in the U.S. for decades under TPS from El Salvador. He said moves to revoke TPS for Salvadorans and other groups would be “devastating,” potentially breaking apart families and disrupting livelihoods built over decades. Martínez emphasized his ties to the community and economy, noting that he values working with colleagues from around the world and serving both domestic and international tourists, but now feels uncertain about his future status.

Union protections and calls for policy change
Martínez said immigrant workers are “hardworking people with families who love this country,” seeking only to remain legally as they have for years. The threat of losing TPS, he said, weighs on him nightly. Pappageorge pointed to longstanding contract provisions negotiated by the Culinary Union that protect workers whose immigration status lapses or is revoked, allowing them to retain their jobs, pay, and seniority while their cases are resolved. He argued such protections should be guaranteed by law for all workers, not just those covered by union agreements.

Pappageorge condemned the notion of aggressive enforcement actions targeting service workers—“dishwashers or gardeners”—who pay taxes, participate in local communities, and have children in area schools. He called the situation “chaos” and urged a “radical change” to address the damage to travel, tourism, and hospitality, sectors that are crucial to Las Vegas and currently facing acute pressures. The union maintains that stabilizing immigration policy and reducing uncertainty would help restore confidence among travelers and employers alike.

State response

The office of Nevada’s governor did not respond to multiple requests for comment on the reported tourism declines, worker concerns, and union claims about policy impacts on the state’s hospitality-driven economy.