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Know This Now, November 21, 2025: Deeper Post-Election Analysis: Latino Voters Show Discontent on Immigration and Economy, Immigrants Voice Fears  

By November 21, 2025November 25th, 2025No Comments

Deeper Post-Election Analysis: Latino Voters Show Discontent on Immigration and Economy, Immigrants Voice Fears  

The November election results showed 2024 Republican gains among Latino voters slipping or evaporating, while Democrats fare only slightly better, and data from new Equis Latino voter polls gives a look into the causes.



Title: Latest Equis Latino Voter Polling Shows Dissatisfaction with Trump Presidency over inflation and mishandling of immigration, while Democrats fare only slightly better

Trump approval rating with Latino voters in October at 36%, with Democrats approval at 45% 

The polling of 2000 HIspanic voters highlights widespread frustration with both parties, as many Latinos feel overlooked outside of election campaigns.

On Republicans: Nearly 1 in 5 of his 2024 Latino voters expressed either disappointment or regret for their votes

13% percent say they may leave the GOP in 2026; On Democrats:  with 45% of Latino voters viewing them favorably and 45% unfavorably,

Overall, Latino voter sentiment is fluid and open to change, rather than firmly aligned with either party.
Source:  Equis Research, poll of 2,000 Latino voters in October 2025

Immigration overreach is a major driver of discontent: most Latino voters oppose workplace raids, masked ICE arrests, troop deployments to cities, and higher work-visa fees. A recent NYTimes review of general public polls found that overall approval of Trump’s handling of immigration is underwater at 45%, while among Latinos it is even lower at 35%, according to the Equis polling.

A new national New York Times/KFF survey finds that immigrants across the board, regardless of legal status, feel significantly less safe since President Trump returned to office. About half report feeling less secure, and fears of detention or deportation have risen sharply:

Yet despite heightened anxiety, most immigrants polled remain committed to building their lives in the U.S.

While the issue of immigration is certainly a factor, the top concern for Latino voters remains affordability. Trump’s approval on cost of living sits at 28%, and 68% of Latinos say they’ve been personally impacted by his tariffs.

CNN reported Trump has seen a drop in approval among Latinos of more than 20 points within the year, more acute than any other group:



“Whatever Donald Trump is doing in office in the minds of Latinos it is not working, they have turned against him in massive, massive numbers,” said CNN chief data analyst Harry Enten.

Both parties still have significant room for improvement in regaining trust and confidence, especially on the economy which looks to be the defining issue for Latino voters heading into 2026.  The Equis poll showed only 45% of Latino voters view Democrats favorably while 39% viewed Republicans favorably.

More from the ABIC Network:

Immigration Raids in Charlotte Spark Fears, Leading Businesses to Close, Including an ABIC Member That’s a Local Institution
Immigration raids in Charlotte have resulted in arrests of over 130 people, sparking widespread fear at businesses, churches, after-school programs and throughout the community. Residents, including U.S. citizens, have reported feeling unsafe. Many arrests involved Latino workers with no criminal history, prompting concerns about racial profiling and the militarized nature of the raids.

Manolo’s Bakery, a Charlotte institution for 28 years and an ABIC member, temporarily closed due to fears over violent enforcement activity witnessed nearby. Owner Manolo Betancur said safety is his top concern:

“I’m not going to risk my customers,” he said. “Safety is more important than any money, any profits or any economy system.”

Other nearby businesses also shut down, while the community has shown support with notes and messages on the bakery’s storefront. The bakery will remain closed until it’s safe for patrons to return.

‘Thank an Immigrant’: Farmer and ABIC Fly-In Attendee Talks Immigrants and Holiday Traditions

Wisconsin dairy farmer Hans Breitenmoser reminds us that holiday traditions, from dairy-related treats to Christmas trees, rely on immigrant workers.

He noted that local Christmas tree growers depend on H-2A workers: “When you pick out a tree for your living room, thank an immigrant. That tree wouldn’t be there without them.”

Breitenmoser just returned from Washington, D.C., where he joined ABIC for our October fly-in to urge bipartisan lawmakers to prioritize common-sense immigration solutions like work permits for our essential immigrant workers. He said immigration enforcement is creating unprecedented pressure on farms of all kinds.

“The White House has said many times we need to protect our farms and hotels, but the actions from ICE tell a different story. Our job was to remind lawmakers what’s really happening on the ground,” Breitenmoser said.

ABIC Joins with Nevada Hispanic Business Group and the National Hispanic Construction Alliance in Las Vegas


Enrique Sanchez, ABIC’s Intermountain State Director, participated in a panel with the Nevada Hispanic Business Group and the National Hispanic Construction Alliance in Las Vegas on the future of immigration reform, and the need for collaboration within the business community around solutions.  Both Laura Nolan and Javier Torres, the event organizers, are Comité de 100 members. Sanchez spoke with many engaged business leaders ready to take action, and thanked the hosts for their strong partnership.

‘Utah Business’ Names ABIC’s Enrique Sanchez a ‘20 in Their 20s’ Honoree

We’re proud to share Sanchez, ABIC’s Intermountain State Director, has been named to the list as “Utah Business 20 in their 20s” a rising star in “the next generation of business leaders.” The honor went to young leaders who ‘have already established themselves as forces of change within their industries and share a remarkable ability to translate vision into impact.”


“What I value most is seeing real impact: When families gain stability, when business leaders join the conversation on workforce and immigration, and when young people see themselves reflected in leadership. My career has been driven by a belief that change happens through relationships.”
-Enrique Sanchez, ABIC’s Intermountain State Director 



News Briefing:
Politico: ‘My Poll Numbers Just Went Down’- Trump Defends Skilled Immigration, Breaking with MAGA Base

President Trump defended immigration for highly-skilled positions at the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum this week, saying Americans lack the expertise for certain jobs and praising Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s Arizona expansion. He told his MAGA base that bringing in skilled workers is necessary to train Americans, even acknowledging his words might hurt his poll numbers among hardline supporters.

“I love my conservative friends. I love MAGA…but they just don’t understand — our people have to be taught, this is something they’ve never done.” Watch his comments: 


The debate underscores a broader struggle in his administration between restricting immigration and meeting the labor demands of U.S. businesses and industries. Trump spurred some MAGA blowback in June, when he promised a solution for farmers who rely on foreign-born workers.


Op-Ed: Balanced Immigration Solutions Can Help Protect America’s Restaurants

Dan Simpson, CEO of Taziki’s, wrote in an op-ed for The Hill that U.S. restaurants are struggling as immigration crackdowns strip legal workers of protections, leaving many understaffed. Immigrants make up 20–30% of the hospitality workforce, and losing them threatens the $1.4 trillion industry, he wrote. He urged balanced solutions, like expanded work visas, to protect both businesses and workers.

“In recent months, many restaurants across the country have been disrupted by enforcement efforts…Already, we have had to reduce hours of operations. That hurts American-born staff, makes us less accessible to customers and hurts other businesses that rely on restaurants for catering.”

WSJ: A Taco Shop Raid Splits an Ohio Town in Red America
An October ICE raid in Mount Vernon, Ohio, on Panchos Tacos, a beloved family-owned restaurant, ended with the arrest of at least five allegedly undocumented workers. It sparked lasting tension in the community, including public meetings and rallies. Some local Republicans saw the raid as necessary law enforcement, while others criticized the aggressive tactics as inappropriate.

Noel Alden, a Mount Vernon lawyer who ran as a Republican for a county judge post in 2016, said the raid has had “a massive chilling effect,” including among dairy farmers.

“Neighbors, friends, people who serve them are being whisked away,” he said. “Panchos was just the first place they hit. They haven’t even started on farms yet.”

Enforcement News:
AP: New Orleans Awaits Arrival Of ‘Swamp Sweep’ Immigration Crackdown

New Orleans is bracing for a Trump administration immigration crackdown set to begin Dec. 1, with up to 250 federal agents expected in the city. Republican Gov. Jeff Landry supports the operation and has pushed for state alignment with federal enforcement, while city leaders, including incoming Mayor Helena Moreno, expressed concern over racial profiling and threats to immigrant communities.

The crackdown could disrupt the local economy and labor, especially during tourism-heavy events like Mardi Gras.

Dozens Of Federal Agents Raid Minnesota Business, Sparking Protest
Dozens of federal agents from ICE, DEA, FBI and Homeland Security Investigations raided St. Paul paper distributor Bro-Tex’s headquarters. The raid drew hundreds of protesters who blocked vehicles and voiced opposition to ICE, leading agents to use chemical irritants and pepper spray. Two people were reportedly detained.

Fights in the Courts:
Judge Blocks Termination of Temporary Legal Status For Syrians

A federal judge blocked the Trump administration from ending TPS and work permits for over 6,100 Syrians onWednesday, ruling the move likely illegal because DHS skipped required reviews and was influenced by politics. TPS for Syrians, in place since 2012, remains in effect while the legal challenge proceeds, and the administration is expected to appeal.

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