Nearly two out of every three Latino voters in the United States—64%—disapprove of President Donald Trump’s performance, while 41% fear an arrest by immigration authorities despite having citizenship or legal status, a survey by UnidosUS revealed.
Despite the disapproval, only 13% of those who voted for Trump said they would not do so again, while 9% were undecided on the matter, added the study ‘Bipartisan Poll of Hispanic Voters: The Road to 2026.’
Among Latino priorities, the cost of living or inflation was the most mentioned, at 53%, followed by jobs and the economy (36%), housing (32%), public health (30%), and immigration (20%).
Nearly four out of every 10 Hispanics—39%—said their economic situation “is worse” than a year ago, and only 14% said it is “better.”
Half of the respondents, 50%, believe Trump’s economic policies will worsen their situation, while nearly two-thirds, 65%, think the president and Republicans are not focusing enough on improving the economy.
The survey, conducted from October 8 to 22, was released a month after the U.S. government shutdown, which began on October 1 because Democrats demanded including health subsidies and insurance in the budget, while Republicans refused to negotiate.
Sixty-one percent of those surveyed blamed Republicans for the shutdown, and 22% blamed Democrats, while 52% said they would support a Democratic candidate in the 2026 midterm elections and 28% a Republican.
The survey reflects the political attention Latino voters in the United States have garnered, where 48% voted for Trump in the November 2024 presidential election, compared to 51% who voted for Democrat Kamala Harris, according to the Pew Research Center.
Latinos and Their Views on Immigration
One in three Latinos—33%—reported in the survey that employers have lost workers because people fear immigration arrests on their way to work, and 29% of children have missed school because their parents fear detention.
More than seven out of ten—72%—expressed opposition to a Supreme Court ruling in September that allowed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to use a person’s appearance, language, and job as justification for arrest.
Nearly six out of ten—59%—believe civil liberties and rights have become less secure, and nearly half—49%—fear being victims of political violence or that it will affect someone close to them.
California: Latinos Concerned
The study included a special sample from the state with the largest Latino population, California, where 50% shared their fear of political violence and 60% felt their freedoms are less secure now.
Additionally, 74% opposed ICE arrests based on appearance and language, 32% mentioned the loss of workers due to fear of detentions, and 30% reported children missing school due to fear of immigration raids.
Eighty-two percent of Latinos in the state expressed “deep concern” that Congress is not fulfilling its role as a check on Trump’s executive branch.
The survey, conducted by BSP Research, included 3,000 Latinos nationwide through calls, text messages, and digital panels, with a margin of error of 1.8%.
Image: DiarioNY
