Trump’s immigration actions spark a Latino political backlash

Almost three decades ago, Proposition 187 in California sparked a Latino political backlash against the Republican Party. The anti-immigrant initiative denied public services to undocumented persons in the state and required teachers, health professionals and other public servants to report suspected undocumented immigrants to the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). 

The campaign and rhetoric in support of 187 turned Latinos into public enemy number one. Proposition 187 passed, and, had it been implemented, it would likely have resulted in extensive racial profiling and the mass deportation of Latinos in California. Although the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) and other civil rights organizations mounted an effective legal challenge against 187, the political damage had been done. The initiative sparked a Latino political backlash against the Republican Party for its support of the proposition. Latinos registered and voted in record numbers, helping to transform California into a solidly Democratic state. The initiative also inspired a new generation of Latinos to run for political office and champion the rights of immigrants and other marginalized groups. 

History repeated itself in 2006, when millions of Latinos took to the streets in protest of H.R. 4437, the so-called “Sensenbrenner Bill,” which sought to intensify immigration enforcement efforts, reclassify undocumented status from a civil violation to a federal felony, and criminalize those who aided undocumented immigrants. Following the mass protests, Latinos and other partisans went to the polls on November 7, 2006, bringing an end to 12 years of Republican dominance of Congress. Two years later, Democratic voters elected Barack Obama to the White House. The protests also gave rise to the DREAMer movement, which ultimately pressured President Obama to issue the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) in 2012.  

Latinos once again find themselves in the crosshairs of nativist politicians and policies - this time driven by Donald Trump, Republican leaders, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The images of masked ICE agents violently ripping families apart and terrorizing communities are gut-wrenching. And, Latinos and their allies are fighting back. The hornets’ nest has been kicked and they are ready to strike back by voting in record numbers for Democratic candidates and initiatives.  

This past week, Latinos and other voters across the nation delivered a devastating blow to Republicans. Pundits attribute the outcome to Trump’s dismal favorability ratings, driven by economic discontent over rising prices and a weakening job market.  

However, a closer look at Latino voters reveals that their evaluation of Trump is also largely shaped by his draconian immigration policies. An October 2025 survey of 3,000 Latino voters by BSP Research and UnidosUS found that immigration arrests and deportations rank among the top issues influencing Latino evaluations of Trump. History appears to be repeating itself as Latinos are mounting a political backlash against Trump and other Republicans for their attacks on immigrant communities. 

Latinos who voted for Trump in 2024 are regretting their decision. In the same poll, respondents were asked whether they would vote for the same presidential candidate if given the chance. Among Harris supporters, a mere 3% said they would switch their vote. Among Trump voters, however, 13% said they would not choose him again. The figure rises to 16% in battleground states and reaches 20% in Texas and Georgia. 

All of this is bad news for Trump and the Republican Party, who are betting that aggressive immigration enforcement will pay off politically. Last week’s election results show that this is a serious miscalculation. In the short term, Republicans are likely to lose control of the House and Senate in 2026, just as they did in 2006, with Latino voters playing a pivotal role in that outcome. Over the long term, Republicans risk losing generations of Latino voters, like they did in California. History is repeating itself, but with one key difference: Latinos are now political heavyweights, and the blowback will be more devastating for Republicans. Now is the time for community organizations, labor groups and the Democratic Party to seize the moment and intensify Latino voter registration and mobilization drives.