All the polls made it clear: The top concern for Latinos is the economy. What did Latinos get from the Democratic campaign? Vague speeches with no concrete solutions. The Harris-Walz campaign repeatedly tried to label President-elect Donald Trump as a xenophobe, believing that accusation alone would be enough to maintain Latino support. It wasn’t. Vice President Kamala Harris lost 13 points among Latinos compared to the vote President Joe Biden received four years ago.
The man whom Democrats have accused for years of being racist and xenophobic has become the Republican candidate with the highest percentage of Latino voters. What a powerful message Latinos have sent to the Democratic Party. This should be a lesson in humility for a party that believed it could win without listening to voters or offering clear solutions to their problems.
Most Latinos come to this country seeking a better future, escaping the poverty and violence that plague their home countries. Yet, in recent years, inflation and rising insecurity have gradually eroded the American dream they once hoped to achieve. Like most Americans, Latinos care more about filling their pockets than listening to motivational speeches. Laughter and empty words won’t put food on the tables of working-class families.
Regarding immigration, most Latinos agree that there should be reform to make it easier to obtain citizenship in this country. However, that doesn’t mean they want open borders with no control. The crisis at the border is affecting Latinos in many ways. The last thing a Latino who fled his home country due to violence and came here legally wants to see is that gangs such as MS-13 or Tren de Aragua are now operating in the United States as well.
Even Latinos who live in safe neighborhoods who are not directly affected by crime don’t want to be associated with that type of migrant. The majority of Latinos are hardworking and law-abiding, and we don’t want to be unfairly labeled because of the actions of a few. That’s why it’s important to ensure the border is secure and proper measures are in place to prevent criminals from entering the country.
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Furthermore, many Latinos feel betrayed by a Democratic Party that has promised immigration reform for decades but failed to deliver once in power. Faced with inflation hitting working-class families hard, some chose to vote for the candidate who has demonstrated the ability to deliver strong economic results. If no one is going to push through a reform that offers their families a path to citizenship, at least they can vote for the one who provides a better economic outlook.
Latinos have sent a clear message to politicians who believe people should vote based on their skin color or appearance. It’s insulting when Democrats tell black and Latino voters that, because of their race, they shouldn’t vote Republican. Like all Americans, Latinos want to be heard and see real solutions to their problems. Unfortunately, the Democratic Party’s narcissism seems to blind it to its own mistakes.
Vanessa Vallejo (@vanessavallej0) is an economist and political analyst for various Hispanic media outlets.