Employment in industries with significant Latino representation in the United States has sharply declined during the initial 14 months of Donald Trump's second term, according to a report released on Thursday by a coalition of Hispanic advocacy groups, including Americans for Tax Fairness, UnidosUS, and Somos Votantes.
The report highlights a staggering 72% drop in job creation within sectors with high Latino participation, compared to the equivalent period under Joe Biden's administration.
The transportation and logistics sector experienced a massive reduction of 305,000 fewer new jobs compared to the same period under Biden, marking a 274% decrease.
In the construction industry, net job creation plummeted from over 200,000 to just 44,000, while the miscellaneous services sector saw a decline from 109,000 to a mere 7,000 jobs.
Factors Behind the Economic Downturn
The groups attribute this economic decline to a mix of factors: tariffs initiated in the spring of 2025, which increased costs for construction materials and other sectors; a massive tax law signed by Trump on July 4, 2025, cutting nearly a trillion dollars from Medicaid and food stamps over a decade; and the surge in gasoline prices caused by the war against Iran starting February 28, 2026.
"Everything is contributing to the storm we're witnessing," remarked Lisette Engel, director of the economic policy project at UnidosUS.
Engel noted that this is a result of the cumulative effects of the actions taken by the administration, emphasizing the connection to migration policies. Industries like construction have traditionally relied on undocumented workers, whose numbers have diminished due to deportations and stricter immigration measures.
Political Implications of Economic Struggles
Trump's immigration policies had already been impacting the labor market months earlier.
In the upcoming weeks, thousands of Latinos will also lose access to food stamps from the SNAP program, according to advocacy groups.
The economic impact has political consequences that are becoming evident. A survey by Somos Votantes conducted this month in key states—Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, and Texas—shows that 64% of Latino respondents blame Republican economic policies for the rising cost of basic goods.
"The cost of living is the lens through which Latino voters are evaluating everything and everyone," explained Emmanuel Leal Santillán from Somos Votantes.
Respondents blame politicians over corporations for price hikes by a three-to-one margin, perceiving that "public policies prioritize tax breaks for the wealthy over working families," according to Leal Santillán.
This shift is notable as many of these voters had supported Trump in 2024, hoping for economic relief from the inflation during the Biden era.
Changing Latino Support for Trump
By December 2025, one in three Latinos who voted for Trump regretted their decision, and only one in four Latinos approved of the president by November of that year.
An early indication of this shift was the Republican drop from 46% to 31% of the Latino vote in New Jersey's state elections on November 4, 2025.
The growing disillusionment among Latinos with Trump has intensified as inflation and unemployment hit Hispanic communities hard.
Nancy Díaz, a community worker in Colorado, summed up the stakes: "When Medicaid is cut, it's not just fiscal policy; it's a mother unable to access healthcare. And when SNAP is limited, it's a child going to school hungry."
Even Trump admitted in December 2025 that Republicans might lose the 2026 elections, and current data suggests that the Latino vote in key states could be crucial in determining control of Congress in November.
The Impact of Trump's Policies on Latino Employment and Voting
How have Trump's policies affected Latino employment?
Trump's policies have led to a significant decrease in job creation in sectors with high Latino participation, such as transportation, logistics, construction, and services.
What are the political consequences of the economic impact on Latinos?
The economic impact has led to a measurable political shift, with many Latino voters blaming Republican policies for the rising cost of living and reconsidering their support for Trump.
Why is the Latino vote important for the upcoming elections?
The Latino vote is crucial because it could determine control of Congress in key states during the November elections, as discontent with current policies may lead to a shift in voter support.