On September 23, 2003, buses filled with immigrant workers, advocates, and allies arrived at a park in Reno. They were part of the Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride, a nationwide movement demanding stronger labor rights for all workers, regardless of immigration status. These riders were calling for a pathway to citizenship and recognition of the essential economic contributions made by immigrant families.
Their journey took them across the country, stopping in cities like Los Angeles, Houston, Chicago, and San Francisco before reaching Washington, D.C., where they met with elected officials. At each stop, they shared their stories, connected with local communities, and took part in rallies advocating for immigrant workers’ rights.
In Reno, more than 20 local organizations came together to welcome the Freedom Riders. Over 700 community members gathered for a day of solidarity, sharing meals, playing soccer, and standing together for justice. As longtime activist Bob Fulkerson noted, this moment was unlike anything Reno had seen before. The region’s demographics were changing, and so was the recognition of the immigrant community’s role in shaping Nevada’s future.
The impact of the Freedom Ride was clear: it sparked a deeper commitment to immigrant advocacy in Nevada. In 2004, the Nevada Immigrant Coalition (NIC) was born, bringing together organizations, community leaders, and advocates to work for and alongside immigrants.
That same year, research highlighted the economic impact of immigrant communities in Nevada. Hispanic immigrants alone contributed nearly $3 billion in taxes while making up 16.5% of the workforce, but received only 8.3% of total earnings. These disparities underscored the urgent need for stronger policies and protections.
By 2006, NIC held its first retreat in the Las Vegas PLAN office, uniting representatives from labor unions, LGBTQ+ groups, elected officials, and other key stakeholders.
Their main goal? To establish a powerful presence in the 2007 Nevada State Legislature —a goal they achieved.
Over the years, NIC has continued to grow and strengthen its advocacy efforts. In 2011, we organized the first-ever “Latino Lobby Day”, ensuring immigrant voices were heard in the halls of power. That year, all eight anti-immigrant bills introduced in Nevada’s legislature were defeated. Since then, NIC has remained at the forefront of legislative advocacy, fighting against harmful policies like Voter ID laws and championing crucial reforms such as Driver Authorization Cards.
Before 2013, Nevada had no dedicated funding for English Language Learner (ELL) programs, even though nearly 30% of Las Vegas students needed them. Thanks to continued advocacy, funding for Zoom Schools was expanded, providing critical educational resources for Latino and immigrant students.
