Nearly two in three Latinos say it’s a bad time to be Latino or Hispanic in the U.S. — a spike in pessimism since just last year and a total reversal from three years ago — according to a new Axios-Ipsos Latino Poll in partnership with Noticias Telemundo.
The survey shows that Latinos’ overall sense of optimism, safety and belonging has plunged across several measures since President Trump took office.
Majorities say they want Trump’s administration to stop ICE raids and deportations, and worry that they or loved ones are vulnerable to attack simply because they’re Latino.
Respondents were also twice as likely to blame Republicans than Democrats for the federal government shutdown.
The surge in Latino pessimism signals warning lights for both parties heading into 2026 and suggests many Latinos now feel politically homeless — frustrated by rising costs and unseen by either side.
Trump’s rhetoric and immigration crackdowns are fueling fear and alienation, while Democrats have lost trust among a group that had long been a key part of their base.
Just 31% of all Latino respondents say it’s a good time to be a Latino or Hispanic person in the U.S., while 65% say it’s a bad time.
That’s a big slide from March 2024 (55% good, 40% bad) and a complete flip from October 2022 (65% good, 31% bad).
Today, sentiment on this question is deeply politicized: 64% of Republican respondents say it’s a good time to be Latino, compared with 30% of independents and just 16% of Democrats.
The March 2024 poll found virtually no difference between Republican and Democratic responses to the question.
Only 40% say the U.S. makes them feel they belong here, down from 51% in March 2024.
44% of respondents in the latest survey say they believe they can live the American Dream, down from 53% in March 2024.
In addition, just 36% say they’re optimistic about the future of the U.S., down from 41% in March 2024.
