39 million Latino voters face 69% disapproval of Trump

Donald Trump faces a challenging test of his support among Latino voters on November 3, as a recent survey indicates a sharp decline in approval ratings for the president and his policies. The election will determine which party controls the U.S. House of Representatives, a race that may hinge on districts in Arizona, Colorado, and Texas with large Latino populations.

According to an NBC News/Telemundo poll released in October, 69% of Latino voters disapprove of Trump’s performance, while only 27% approve. This dissatisfaction is reflected in party preference, with 59% of Latino voters favoring Democratic control of Congress compared to 35% who prefer Republican control. Additionally, 54% of these voters said their vote in the midterms is intended to send a message of opposition to the president.

The primary drivers of this discontent appear to be the cost of living and immigration enforcement. The poll found that 78% of Latino voters disapprove of Trump’s handling of the cost of living, and 74% disapprove of his economic management. Among independent Latino voters, 72% believe Trump’s policies have harmed the economy, a figure that contrasts with the 10% who say the policies have benefited them. Immigration policy drew disapproval from 69% of Latino voters, with two-thirds stating that the administration’s control measures have gone too far.

Personal experiences with immigration enforcement are also influencing voter sentiment. The survey reports that 31% of Latino voters said they or a close associate began carrying identification due to fear of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. Furthermore, 27% know someone who was detained or deported by ICE in the past two years. Fifty-eight percent of Latino voters disapprove of the administration’s handling of border security.

Chris Martínez, a resident of Arizona, told The Associated Press that he voted for Trump in 2024 expecting a prosperous economy and no war. Martínez, who now feels deceived, stated, “(Trump) No está haciendo nada por nosotros, para beneficiarnos. Y es una lástima, porque me engañaron y me siento como un tonto.”

Clarissa Martínez De Castro, vice president of the Latino Voter Project, noted that most Latino families are working hard to survive but do not believe the president and his party are focused sufficiently on economic issues. She emphasized that voters are looking for candidates who offer solutions to help working families and create an immigration system based on security and dignity rather than cruelty.

Ricardo Rauseo, press secretary for Somos Votantes, told EFE that Latino voters expected a change in the administration two years ago but have instead seen prices rise. He stated that the expectation was for change, but the reality has been increased costs for families.

Pew Research Center projects that approximately 39 million Latinos will be eligible to vote in the 2026 midterms. This represents an increase of more than 5.2 million eligible voters compared to 2022, a growth of 16%. Mark Hugo Lopez, director of Race and Ethnicity Research at Pew, noted that Latinos are the second largest group of eligible voters in the United States, behind white voters. He suggested that Latino voters may have a larger impact on the outcomes of both presidential and congressional elections than in the past.

Despite the polling numbers, Trump maintains that his administration is performing well. When asked about his outlook among Hispanic voters, he said, “Creo que lo estamos haciendo bien.. Tengo un tremendo voto hispano.” During a campaign trip to Texas on October 2, Trump defended his support among Latinos and insisted he would not reverse course on immigration, stating, “Tenemos que hacer lo que tenemos que hacer.”

The control of the House of Representatives is expected to be determined in key districts where Latino voter turnout will be decisive. Democrats hope to capitalize on the current dissatisfaction to retake the chamber, while Republicans rely on Trump’s continued support among a portion of the Latino electorate to defend their majority.