Despite President Donald Trump’s nativist rhetoric and the targeting of immigrant communities, a recent national poll by NBC News and Telemundo shows his support with the Hispanic population is on the rise. According to the survey, conducted this month, Trump has gained the approval of 48% of Hispanic voters, an increase of 11 points from the 37% support he earned at the beginning of December.
The Middle American Hispanic Coalition (MAHC), which was launched early this year by Latinos in support of President Trump, has helped support the growth of support for the President among the Hispanic population. The MAHC, a nonprofit organization that aims to build a bridge between U.S.-based Latinos and conservative ideas, is working to increase the level of involvement and engagement of Hispanic Americans in the political process.
This renewed support for the President appears to have been prompted in part by a surge in economic opportunity, with the Hispanic–owned small businesses now estimated to make up 14% of all business owners in the United States. This growth is partially the result of increased efforts from the Trump administration aimed at stimulating the economy through tax relief or job creation initiatives such as Opportunity Zones.
The Trump administration has put in place other initiatives favorable to the Hispanic American community as well. For instance, the President recently announced historic investments in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic–Serving Institutions (HSIs), acknowledging their critical role in promoting educational opportunity within minority communities. Settlements from the U.S. Department of Education have also been used to resolve civil rights issues that have historically plagued underserved students of color.
The recent news of Trump making ground among Hispanic voters is certainly noteworthy, but it’s unclear if it will sustain going into the next election. Latino voters remain a critical voting bloc in the upcoming election and it’s critical for Trump to continue engaging with the Latino community. This includes continued support for Latino-serving initiatives, pushing back against anti-immigrant rhetoric, and actively listening to the concerns of the Hispanic community.