As legislators in Washington struggle to find common ground on immigration reforms, UNLV researchers are developing a comprehensive picture of Nevada’s growing immigrant population.
The researchers are exploring the impacts of the immigrant population on Clark County’s educational, social, and economic systems and analyzing the legal and policy issues that frame the significance of these changes for Southern Nevada.
“The impacts of immigration growth are all local, and most of the time local jurisdictions are not in the position to handle those impacts,” says law professor Sylvia Lazos. “I think it’s important for academics to get involved because we can frame the issue in a more analytical manner without hitting the emotional hotbutton issues regarding immigrants.”
According to 2000 census data, Nevada experienced a 302 percent increase since 1990 in its immigrant population, with nearly 77 percent of that population residing in the Las Vegas area – the majority of which are Latino.
Included in the project, were reports on social and economic status of immigrants, including comparisons with U.S. natives on issues such as education, employment, and home ownership.
The project also detailed the demographics of Hispanic/Latino students in the Clark County School District and analyzed their achievement and available educational support systems.
Through this research, Lazos and her colleagues hope to gain a better understanding of the social and legal policy options available to the county and the state in responding to the influx of new immigrant groups. “New immigrants realize that their new lives are much better here, especially since Nevada offers much more economic opportunity and entrepreneurship than other parts of the country,” she says. “Immigrants who come here envision a path that will lead them to a middle-class lifestyle.”
Whether immigrants and their children will be able to successfully integrate into the local community will greatly depend on local leaders learning how these new stresses affect local community relations and how they can reconfigure existing programs so that more diverse local populations are better served.
“We hope to show that by providing a smooth transition and incorporation for these immigrants we can help create a more cohesive and productive community.”
