Immigration Reform Is the Defining Issue in Nevada’s 2nd Congressional District—Where Does Teresa Benitez-Thompson Stand?
By Gamaliel “Gamy” Zavala Enriquez
With the 2026 primary election approaching, immigration reform is once again at the heart of Nevada’s 2nd Congressional District. As the only Latino and the only candidate running on a platform of universal economic and political rights, I want to offer voters a clear comparison between myself and Teresa Benitez-Thompson, the only Latina in the race.
The reason I have the political courage to fight for comprehensive immigration reform is personal. I remember my grandfather, a Bracero, very well as I was growing up. His story shaped my sense of justice and possibility. Years later, after the Great Recession, I faced my own trial when I was arrested by the FBI in Nevada after being unwittingly entangled in a border room financial fraud—an experience that showed me firsthand how poverty is criminalized in America. While in a holding cell in the Nevada desert, I struck up a conversation with a Mexican man who had also been arrested, but by ICE. In that moment, it hit me: we were both caught by the same inhumane system that locks up poor undocumented people and poor Americans, while the 1%—as we saw with Wall Street—gets away scot-free.
My family’s journey, from my grandfather’s days as a Bracero to my parents’ pursuit of the American Dream, taught me that immigration policy is more than paperwork—it’s about dignity, opportunity, and the future of our communities. The difference between thriving and struggling in this country often comes down to whether there’s a legal pathway or a closed door. This is not just my story, but the story of countless Nevadans.
Nevada is home to over 200,000 undocumented immigrants, according to the Pew Research Center, and our economy—from agriculture to hospitality—relies on their labor. Yet, both establishment politicians and some progressive voices have failed to deliver real solutions. Instead, we get empty promises and political posturing while families remain in limbo.
My Position: Comprehensive, Universal Reform
I am the only candidate in this race calling for truly comprehensive immigration reform. Not just another patchwork fix, but a policy that:
Provides a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers and long-term residents
Establishes a modern, legal guest worker program with robust labor protections
Streamlines legal immigration to reunite families quickly
Delivers smart, effective border security—not wasteful political theater
Grants universal political rights to all residents, recognizing that expanding rights for immigrants strengthens democracy for everyone
This vision goes further than the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act, which President Reagan signed to regularize millions but left out millions more and failed to address root causes. Universal rights for undocumented folks don’t just benefit them—they reinforce the political and economic power of all Americans by ensuring everyone has a stake in our democracy.
Teresa Benitez-Thompson: Out of Touch with Our Community
Although Teresa Benitez-Thompson is Latina, she often uses her heritage for political convenience rather than to advance the interests of our community. When it comes to comprehensive immigration reform, Teresa is out of touch and fails to deliver more than rhetoric. Community leaders have shared that she routinely snubs Latino and Hispanic organizations, and she is reluctant to engage with our community in Spanish—even when invited to do so. Unlike Teresa, I am proud to be Mexican American, and I show up for my community. I speak Spanish, listen to our families, and fight for real, comprehensive solutions—not just symbolic gestures. While she praises DACA and incremental measures in interviews, she stops short of supporting universal pathways or political rights for all undocumented residents, leaving millions in the shadows. Our community deserves more than symbolism—we deserve action and respect.
Why Universal Rights Matter
Some ask: Why grant political and economic rights to undocumented residents? The answer is simple—democracy and prosperity are strongest when everyone is included. When undocumented workers are empowered, wages rise for all. When all residents can participate politically, government becomes more responsive to the will of the people, not special interests.
Universal rights aren’t radical—they’re American. The Bracero Program proved that regulated, humane migration helps both sides of the border. Reagan’s 1986 reform showed political courage even if it was imperfect. Today, we need to go further, with a 21st-century solution that recognizes the humanity and contributions of every Nevadan.
A Hopeful Future: The Courage to Deliver
This election is about more than resumes or identities—it’s about having the determination and hope to finally deliver for our district. I am running because I believe in the promise of Nevada and the power of our people to write the next great chapter in our story. My family’s journey—on both sides—proves that opportunity, dignity, and justice are possible when we choose inclusion and act with courage.
We can’t afford to wait for the “right moment.” The right moment is now. With your support, I will finally bring the political courage needed to pass comprehensive immigration reform that strengthens and unites us all. Together, we can build a future where everyone has a fair shot and no one is left behind.
Let’s break barriers with hope, courage, and unity—and make Nevada a model for the nation.
In Solidarity,
Gamy Enriquez, MPA
Independent Democratic Candidate, NVCD-02
References:
Las Vegas Review-Journal, “Nevada’s Undocumented Workforce: The Economic Reality.” April 2025.
Nevada Independent, “Latina Candidates Speak Out on Immigration.” March 2025.
Pew Research Center, "Facts on U.S. Immigrants, 2025 Update."
