As the U.S. presidential race approaches its final stretch, Vice President Kamala Harris participated in a town hall in Las Vegas on Thursday, engaging with undecided Latino voters who expressed concerns over immigration, health care, and the rising cost of living. The event, hosted by Univision and set to air Thursday evening, offered a platform for Harris to hear directly from those grappling with challenges they attribute to a “broken” system.
During the hourlong session, Harris listened to personal stories from individuals who have been directly impacted by the nation’s immigration policies, health care system, and economic struggles. The audience included a woman mourning the death of her undocumented mother, another woman suffering from the long-term effects of COVID-19, and a man calling for a clear path to citizenship for DREAMers.
Despite her attempts to provide reassurances, some in the audience appeared skeptical of Harris’ rise to the top of the Democratic ticket following President Joe Biden’s earlier decision not to seek re-election. Harris, however, reiterated her commitment to tackling these pressing issues, though she stopped short of introducing any new policy proposals.
Latino Voters’ Influence in Nevada
The discussion underscored the significance of Latino voters in Nevada—a state where Latinos make up about 20% of registered voters. With roughly half identifying as unaffiliated with either major political party, the Latino electorate is seen as pivotal in determining the outcome of Nevada’s six electoral votes. These voters could ultimately play a decisive role in the 2024 presidential race.
Polling data indicates that while Harris currently leads former President Donald Trump among Latinos (51% to 39%), her support has yet to reach the levels of her predecessor, President Biden, in the 2020 election. The Democratic Party has ramped up efforts to galvanize the Latino vote, with the Democratic National Committee placing bilingual billboards and Spanish-language ads throughout Las Vegas in the lead-up to the town hall.
On the Republican side, Trump’s campaign is also focusing on Latino outreach. He plans to hold a town hall hosted by Univision in Miami, Florida, following a roundtable discussion with Latino leaders in Henderson, Nevada.
Emotional Stories of Immigration Struggles
Immigration dominated much of the conversation at the town hall. Ivett Castillo, an operations manager, tearfully recounted the recent death of her undocumented mother, who had been unable to access adequate health care despite her father’s U.S. citizenship. Castillo asked Harris how her administration planned to address health care disparities for immigrants in similar situations.
Harris sympathized with Castillo’s story, highlighting the administration’s push for comprehensive immigration reform. She pointed to the Biden administration’s introduction of a bill on its first day in office, which aimed to create expanded pathways to citizenship. However, the bill has stalled due to Republican opposition.
“Had your mother been able to gain citizenship, she would have been entitled to health care,” Harris said. “This is one example of how real people are suffering because of political inaction.”
Harris also referenced a bipartisan immigration bill that had been rejected by Republican senators, a measure that sought to limit asylum claims when migrant encounters exceeded a set threshold. Although the bill faced criticism from some immigration advocates, Harris used it to illustrate her point about the difficulty of achieving meaningful reform in a polarized political landscape.
The Plight of DREAMers and the Path to Citizenship
Another participant, Jesus Auspuro, recalled the struggles of many of his college classmates who were part of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Brought to the U.S. as children, these individuals, known as DREAMers, have lived in a state of uncertainty for years as their legal status remains in limbo.
“They had to live day by day, and had that fear in them,” Auspuro said, asking Harris what she would do to ensure protections for DREAMers.
The DACA program, introduced by President Barack Obama, has been the subject of ongoing legal challenges. While the Biden administration has made efforts to preserve it, its future remains uncertain. Harris reaffirmed her support for providing DREAMers a path to citizenship, emphasizing that a failure to enact comprehensive immigration reform has left many without a legal avenue to remain in the country.
As a candidate in 2019, Harris advocated for using executive action to create a pathway to citizenship for DACA recipients. However, she has not reiterated that specific stance in recent months. Still, she voiced her broader support for immigration reform during the town hall.
“One of the biggest problems with failure to have a comprehensive plan for immigration is that we have not given them the pathway to earn their right to citizenship,” Harris said.
Health Care Concerns and Economic Strain
Beyond immigration, health care and economic issues also took center stage in the town hall. One participant, who identified as suffering from long COVID, shared her struggles with the disease’s lingering effects. She described losing her job, her home, and access to health care because of her condition, illustrating the economic strain that many Americans face due to insufficient health care systems.
Harris used this story to underscore her administration’s commitment to expanding health care access, particularly for marginalized communities. She highlighted policy proposals aimed at lowering the cost of health care and improving the system’s reach, though she acknowledged that more work was needed to address the widespread challenges.
Housing costs, grocery prices, and economic inequality were also topics of discussion, as several attendees expressed frustration with rising living expenses. These concerns echoed broader trends seen in communities across the country, where inflation and stagnant wages are putting a strain on families.
The Stakes of the 2024 Election
With the November election fast approaching, Harris’ town hall appearance was part of a broader effort to court undecided voters and shore up support among Latino communities. The event highlighted the stakes of the upcoming election and the importance of Nevada’s Latino electorate in deciding the presidency.
Mario Sigbaum, a 70-year-old immigrant from Uruguay, was among those still undecided. Leaning toward Trump, he expressed concerns about Biden’s decision to step aside from the race and Harris’ rapid rise to the top of the Democratic ticket.
In response, Harris acknowledged the unusual nature of the situation but emphasized that the fundamental stakes remained unchanged. “This is an unusual time where we as the American people are choosing between the rule of law and democracy or admiring dictators and autocracy,” she said.
As both parties intensify their outreach to Latino voters, Harris will need to continue addressing the issues that matter most to this crucial voting bloc—immigration, health care, and economic stability—if she hopes to win their support in November.
The town hall offered a glimpse into the concerns that are likely to shape the final weeks of the 2024 campaign, particularly as candidates vie for the support of key demographics like Nevada’s Latino voters. With just weeks left before the election, these issues will continue to dominate the political landscape, influencing the outcome of not just Nevada’s six electoral votes but possibly the presidency itself.
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