Latinos Reject Trump Amid High Costs, 39 Million Set to Vote November 3

Latin voters are turning against President Donald Trump in large numbers ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, according to a recent NBC News and Telemundo poll. The survey indicates that 69% of Latin voters disapprove of his management, while only 27% support his performance. This shift could determine the control of the U.S. House of Representatives, as Democrats seek to win districts with high Latino populations.

The election results may hinge on specific states, including Arizona, Colorado, and Texas. In these areas, Republicans face growing skepticism from voters who cite inflation and strict immigration enforcement as primary concerns. The same poll found that 59% of Latin voters prefer the Democrats to control Congress, compared to 35% who favor the Republicans. Additionally, 54% said they intend to vote to send a message of opposition to the president.

Economic anxiety drives much of the dissatisfaction. The survey revealed that 78% of Latin voters disapprove of how Trump handles the cost of living. Another 74% disapprove of his economic management. Among Latin independent voters, 72% believe the president's policies have hurt the economy, a stark contrast to the 10% who say they have benefited. Immigration policy also draws heavy criticism, with 69% disapproving of Trump's approach and two-thirds believing his control measures have gone too far.

The impact of these policies is felt in daily life. According to the poll, 31% of respondents said they or a close family member began carrying identification due to fear of Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations. Another 27% know someone who has been detained or deported by ICE in the past two years. A further 58% disapprove of the administration's handling of border security.

Chris Martínez, a resident of Arizona who voted for Trump in 2024, told The Associated Press that he felt misled. "(Trump) No está haciendo nada por nosotros, para beneficiarnos. Y es una lástima, porque me engañaron y me siento como un tonto," Martínez said. He had expected a prosperous economy and no wars under the Republican president.

Clarissa Martínez De Castro, vice president of the Latino Voter Initiative, noted that many Latin workers are barely surviving despite their efforts. She said voters are looking for candidates who offer concrete solutions for working families and a migration system based on dignity rather than cruelty. Ricardo Rauseo, press secretary for Somos Votantes, told EFE that prices have increased over the nearly two years of the current administration, contrary to the change voters expected.

The size of the Latin electorate is expanding. Projections from Pew Research Center estimate that approximately 39 million Latinos are eligible to vote in the 2026 midterms. This represents an increase of more than 5.2 million eligible voters compared to 2022, a 16% growth rate. Mark Hugo Lopez, director of Race and Ethnicity Research at Pew, stated that Latinos are now the second-largest group of eligible voters in the United States, following white voters. He predicted their impact on congressional races could be greater than in the 2024 presidential election.

President Trump maintains that his administration is performing well. "Creo que lo estamos haciendo bien," he said when asked about his standing with Hispanic voters. He added that he has a tremendous Hispanic vote. On October 2, during a campaign trip to Texas, Trump defended his immigration stance. "Tenemos que hacer lo que tenemos que hacer," he said, referring to mass deportations.