Make Me Smart What’s happening in Vegas?
Nov 14, 2025
Yvette Fernandez, a regional reporter for the Mountain West News Bureau, dives into the impact of immigration crackdowns on the Latin entertainment scene in Las Vegas. She shares insights from the recent Latin Grammys and how visa issues lead to event cancellations. Yvette also discusses the city's ongoing tourism slump, especially among Canadian and Mexican visitors, and contrasts the experiences of high-priced Strip venues with local businesses that focus on community. Plus, they tackle the rise of AI in music and the nostalgia surrounding the return of holiday catalogs.
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Visa Enforcement Disrupted Latin Entertainment
- The Trump administration's immigration crackdown has disrupted Spanish-language live entertainment by revoking or holding performers' visas.
- That cancellation ripple forced events like Chicago's Michelada Fest to cancel entire weekends and hurt venues nationwide.
Tourism Dip Hits Las Vegas Hard
- Las Vegas tourism declined almost 8–9% in September, translating to an estimated $11.5 million deficit that quarter.
- The drop mainly reflects fewer visitors from Canada and Mexico, the city's two largest tourist groups.
Strip Prices Outsized Visitor Expectations
- Yvette described paying $35 for a drink in a plastic cup on the Strip and estimated some cocktails now cost $50.
- She contrasted that with the city's past as a budget destination offering hotel-and-drink packages and buffet deals.