Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford released a “Know Your Rights” pamphlet for undocumented immigrants, which reflects a troubling disconnect from the needs of law-abiding Nevadans grappling with rampant crime and economic hardships. Ford’s focus on so-called immigrant rights comes as communities across Nevada—particularly minority groups—continue to suffer the long-term consequences of policies implemented under his watch.
The pamphlet, designed to educate undocumented immigrants on how to interact with law enforcement, was accompanied by Ford’s statement that his office “will be a bulwark” against federal immigration actions, including mass deportations.
“Every resident of Nevada has basic rights that protect you when you have contact with law enforcement, regardless of your citizenship or immigration status—including undocumented immigrants,” Ford said.
The initiative comes at a time when Nevada is reeling from a 562 percent surge in its undocumented immigrant population since 2021. Reports estimate that illegal immigration costs Nevada taxpayers $2 billion or roughly $2,000 per household a year.
Critics argue that Ford’s priorities are out of step with the needs of legal residents, particularly as violent crime continues to rise and the state’s infrastructure struggles under the weight of an increasing population. Adding to the backlash is Ford’s perceived inaction during the COVID-19 pandemic. Under former Governor Steve Sisolak’s executive lockdown orders—orders Ford did not challenge—small businesses, churches, synagogues, and other places of worship were forced to close as large retailers and casinos remained operational.
Data from the time revealed that minority groups, including Asians, Blacks, Hispanics, Latinos, and Native Americans, bore the brunt of these policies. Disproportionate job losses, limited access to healthcare, and heightened exposure to the virus created a devastating economic and social impact for these communities. Recent findings show that the majority of persons of color, forced to wear facemasks and isolate themselves, died not of COVID-19 but from bacterial pneumonia because of the mask mandate.
Hispanics and Latinos, for instance, made up a significant percentage of the hospitality and service workforce, sectors decimated by the lockdowns. Black Nevadans faced increased unemployment rates and limited access to pandemic-related aid, further widening racial economic disparities.
Native Americans, already underserved, experienced compounded challenges due to limited healthcare infrastructure in tribal areas. Ford’s silence during these hardships has fueled criticism that his office failed to advocate for those most in need during one of the state’s darkest chapters.
Opponents of Ford’s latest initiative argue that the attorney general’s priorities reflect a political agenda detached from the pressing concerns of everyday Nevadans. Rather than addressing the rise in violent crime or the economic hardships still impacting minority communities, his focus on illegal aliens has left many residents feeling abandoned.
In a state facing such multifaceted challenges, critics demand a shift in focus from political gestures to tangible solutions that address crime, economic recovery, and the well-being of Nevada’s most vulnerable populations. Ford’s actions, they argue, not only fail to protect Nevadans but actively erode public trust in the state’s leadership.
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