Asian-American Voters in Nevada Supported Trump Previously: Insights on Their Current Opinion Towards Him
Rewritten Article:
Meet Pauline Lee, the daughter of hardworking immigrants who embarked on the American dream. Arriving as teenagers with nothing, they toiled in entry-level jobs before climbing the ranks in California. And Lee, a former attorney, remains a proud advocate of their legal immigration journey.
However, Lee isn't content with the current immigration landscape. "Illegal immigration is a major issue for me," she says bluntly. She believes it drains resources from American citizens, and that's a problem she wants resolved.
In Nevada's political sphere, Asian Americans have made their presence felt. Around six out of ten Asian Americans in the state voted for President Trump in 2020 - a significant shift from four years earlier, when the majority leaned towards Democratic nominee Kamala Harris.
Trump's administrative policies reflect his stance on immigration. During his first 100 days in office, he took steps to tighten immigration laws and end diversity programs across higher education and the federal government. These actions came after Trump expanded his support among nonwhite voters, including Asian Americans who could feel the impact of these policies directly.
Many Asian Americans share Lee's frustrations, including the concept of affirmative action in college admissions. Over lunch, Lee shares her resentment as a parent, claiming her children faced unnecessary hurdles compared to others to gain entry into prestigious colleges. The same disappointment echoes in the sentiments of Las Vegas City Councilwoman Francis Allen-Palenske, who calls for absolute fairness and a true meritocracy in college admissions.
Allen-Palenske, whose mother hails from South Korea, expands on the economic concerns driving the shift toward Republicans among Asian Americans in Nevada. Costs of living, such as housing and basic necessities, have escalated significantly in the region over the last 15 years. "Las Vegas was once a haven for affordable homes now seems like a distant memory," she laments.
The economic pinch has been felt particularly hard by the Asian American community, whose members often work in the hospitality and gaming industries. Historian James Zarsadiaz from the University of San Francisco concurs, noting the productive community of Asian Americans in Nevada feeling the squeeze at the supermarket and gas pump.
But, Rachel Puaina, a local teacher with union worker relatives, sees a silver lining in Trump's economic policies. She believes they stand up for America and, despite the volatility they've caused in the stock market, they're worth the short-term sacrifice. "Why should we tolerate these issues for decades?" she questions.
Puaina also supports Trump's immigration policies, including the rethink of birthright citizenship. She asserts that stricter immigration requirements are necessary for maintaining fairness and order.
Schayden Gorai, a field representative in Las Vegas for Turning Point Action, echoes these views, citing the importance of legal immigration and equal treatment for all. "Asian Americans are mostly immigrants, and they've followed the rules to get here. They just want to be treated fairly," he concludes.
However, not everyone within the Asian American community feels the same way. At an Asian cultural festival in Las Vegas, May, a naturalized citizen born in the Philippines, expresses her concerns about Trump's attack on birthright citizenship. "Will I be next?" she wonders anxiously, as she remains protective of her family member seeking citizenship.
This movement toward the Republican Party among Asian Americans in Nevada is a noticeable trend in a broader context. Across the nation, Asian American voters moved slightly toward Trump in 2020 compared to 2016. But, as a recent poll reveals, only four in ten Asian Americans approve of Trump's job performance up to now. It remains unclear whether Trump can maintain his support within this diverse community.
- Pauline Lee, a former attorney and daughter of immigrant parents, voiced her concerns about immigration, including illegal immigration, believing it drains resources from American citizens.
- In the community of Asian Americans in Nevada, many share Lee's concerns about affirmative action in college admissions, claiming their children face unnecessary hurdles compared to others.
- Economy-related worries, such as rising costs of living, have driven a shift toward Republicans among Asian Americans in Nevada, with Las Vegas City Councilwoman Francis Allen-Palenske expressing this sentiment.
- Some Asian Americans, like May, a naturalized citizen born in the Philippines, have expressed concerns about Trump's stance on birthright citizenship, fearing potential consequences for themselves and their family members seeking citizenship.
