Majority of Latino Voters Disapprove of Trump's Presidency

A majority of Latino voters disapprove of Donald Trump and his policies, according to a Pew Research Center report released in October 2024. The study reveals that 70% of Latinos disapprove of Trump's handling of his presidential duties, with 65% disapproving of his immigration policies and 61% believing his economic policies have worsened conditions for their community.

This marks a significant shift from the 2024 election, where Trump garnered support from nearly half of Latino voters, winning 48%, a rise from 28% in 2016. The demographic, which comprises one in five Americans, has seen a notable decline in support for Trump, particularly among Latino men, who previously credited his economic proposals and perceived leniency on immigration for their vote.

However, after the implementation of sweeping tariffs and cuts to social safety nets, alongside aggressive immigration raids, this support has significantly dwindled. In June 2024, a co-founder of Latinas for Trump criticized the administration's immigration enforcement as 'unacceptable and inhumane'.

The November elections further highlighted this shift, as Democrats regained Latino support in gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia. The Pew report indicates a stark divide within the Latino electorate; nearly all Latinos who voted for Kamala Harris disapprove of Trump, while 81% of Trump voters still approve of his job performance, although that number has dropped from 93% since he took office.

Concerns over deportation have also increased, with 52% of Latinos now fearing that they or someone close to them could be deported, up from 42% in March 2024. Additionally, nearly 60% have reported witnessing or hearing about immigration raids or arrests in their communities within the past six months.

For the first time in almost twenty years, a majority of Hispanics report that their situation has worsened under Trump's presidency. The Pew report finds that only 10% of Hispanics believe Trump's policies have helped them, while a significant 78% feel that his policies have harmed their community.

This data underscores a critical challenge for the Republican Party as it navigates the evolving landscape of Latino voter sentiment ahead of future elections.