Casino operators urge Congress to move ahead with immigration reform
Two Las Vegas casino operators have called on members of Congress to move ahead with immigration reform as some employees may lose their right to stay in the United States.
The Trump administration announced Tuesday that it was winding down the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival program, or DACA, which provided temporary resident status for immigrants brought to the United States illegally as children.
The law affects more than 800,000 people nationwide, including 13,000 in Nevada, many of whom work in some of the state’s many leading casinos.
The program would be phased out gradually, with the first permits expiring in six months, giving Congress a short window to come up with permanent legislation.
“Caesars Entertainment has DACA employees, and as is the case for all of our immigrant employees, we support their efforts to become U.S. citizens,’’ said Richard Broome, executive vice president of public affairs and communications. “The company also continues to support comprehensive immigration reform.’’
MGM Resorts International said it supported individuals affected by today’s announcement and joined Caesars in calling for “long-overdue comprehensive immigration reform.’’
“We urge Congress to move quickly to address this so that the young people affected have stability for their future,’’ MGM said in a statement.
Caesars and MGM could not immediately say how many people at their properties could be affected by the Trump administration’s action.
Las Vegas Sands and Wynn Resorts declined comment.
The Culinary Union, which represents 57,000 Nevadans such as bartenders and cocktail and food servers, slammed today’s decision and asked employers to support their immigrant laborers.
“We call on our Las Vegas employers on the Las Vegas Strip and in downtown Las Vegas to stand with your workforce and to not let this immoral decision pass quietly,’’ it said.
The Review-Journal is owned by the family of Las Vegas Sands Corp. Chairman and CEO Sheldon Adelson.
Contact Todd Prince at tprince@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0386. Follow @toddprincetv on Twitter.
