Adelys Ferro, director of the Venezuelan American Caucus, described the Trump Administration’s February announcement to end temporary protected status (TPS) for nearly 600,000 Venezuelans in the U.S. as a “beyond betrayal.” This sentiment is understandable, as naturalized Venezuelans played a key role in Donald Trump’s victory in a key county, leading Florida Democrats to label it a “day of reckoning.” In Doral, Florida, a city with a large Venezuelan population, Trump received 61% of the vote, a significant shift from 2016 when Hillary Clinton won the municipality with 68%.
In 2024, Trump gained support from Hispanic voters, particularly men, across the U.S. Puerto Ricans aided his win in Pennsylvania, and he also made gains with Cuban voters, who already leaned Republican. Trump’s firm stance on immigration was well-known. He even acknowledged the support he received from Latinos on border issues at a Miami rally in November 2022, stating that it was the “exact opposite” of what people expected.
This raises the question: Do Latinos support what appears to be an aggressive approach against large segments of the Hispanic community, or are there signs of “buyer’s remorse?”
The answer is complex. The “Hispanic Voter” is diverse, leading to varying opinions. Venezuelans, a particularly targeted group, seem to be shifting their views. Many initially supported Trump due to their aversion to leftist ideologies, associating Kamala Harris with figures like Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro. They hoped Trump would remove Maduro from power, with some even envisioning military intervention. However, the administration’s initial move toward Maduro’s regime was a , which involved negotiating for the release of six imprisoned Americans. Shortly after, in early February, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced the first round of for Venezuelans, citing improved conditions in Venezuela. This claim, suggesting the country is safe for exiles despite Maduro’s continued , is seen as both false and insulting to Venezuelans.
The Trump Administration has also made moves that affect as well. In March, Trump ended a “parole” program (established by Joe Biden) that allowed over 100,000 Cubans to live and work in the U.S. This decision is perplexing, given that older Cubans are a more established and influential voting group for Republicans. The Administration appears to be counting on the anti-immigrant sentiment of older Cubans, and, for now, . However, there seems to be a , with reports of mass deportations and detentions during routine immigration check-ins. The consequences for the Cuban community, their families, and businesses remain to be seen. The Trump Administration is taking a gamble with a key Republican demographic in Florida.
Adding to the complexity is the shocking to El Salvador’s maximum-security prison, Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo (CECOT). Utilizing an old law, Trump has deported hundreds of immigrants to El Salvador without due process. He has even hinted that American citizens (referred to as ) could be next. Some deportees were sent in error, such as ; others, like , a gay hairdresser with no criminal record, had no gang affiliations. These individuals, , now face inhumane conditions with little hope of release. As the footage of these deportations circulates, it will test Trump’s claim that Latinos support his strict immigration policies.
Finally, the economy is a key factor, with Trump’s economic message cited as a reason for his gains with Hispanic males. While the Administration may believe they have secured this group as part of their base, a POLITICO suggests otherwise. In 2024, Latinos were more likely to “split the ticket,” voting for Trump as well as Democratic candidates. This should be a warning for Republicans and a motivator for Democrats seeking to regain lost ground.
Republicans will likely be hurt by that have proven disastrous, as Latinos, who often earn less, will be disproportionately affected by rising prices. This, combined with the of mass deportations on the workforce (millions of Latinos, both documented and undocumented, are crucial to industries like farming, construction, and retail), creates a difficult situation for the Republican Party as they try to maintain their support among Hispanic voters.
The mid-term elections in November 2026 will be telling. Two things are apparent: Democrats can no longer take the Hispanic vote for granted and must move beyond identity politics to focus on real issues like the economy. Republicans will have to defend their record during Trump’s first two years without his influence at the top of the ticket.
will be closely watched, and a new shows that Hispanics largely disapprove of Trump’s performance (72%, the highest disapproval rate after Black Americans). However, these are just numbers. The true measure of Latinos’ regret over their role in Trump’s rise to power will be revealed at the ballot box.