First 100 days: Six-in-10 Latino voters believe country is headed in the wrong direction
- Voces Unidas de las Montañas
- Apr 28
- 5 min read
As President Trump approaches the 100-day mark of his presidency, pocketbook issues — cost of living, jobs, housing and health care affordability — continue to dominate the concerns of Latino voters with immigration rounding out the top five, according to poll results released today by a coalition that includes Voces Unidas/COLOR, UnidosUS, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and Climate Power en Acción.
In Colorado, 59% of Latino voters (60% nationally) believe things are going in the wrong direction, and 52% (70% nationally) hold President Trump and his administration responsible. On the economy, 46% (54% nationally) said it is worse compared to last year and two-thirds believe Trump's tariffs will hurt the economy.
"In survey after survey, in Colorado and across the country, Latinas and Latinos continue to identify cost-of-living issues as top concerns that have not been adequately addressed by policymakers," said Alex Sánchez of Voces Unidas, which co-leads with COLOR the Colorado Latino Agenda, a statewide public research initiative that publishes relevant and timely in-depth reports about Latinas and Latinos in Colorado. "Consistent with our past research, this recent national poll also shows the energy behind more common-sense immigration policy reforms over just border security. Latinos are telling us that they want humane immigration policies, and they continue to reject the approach of the current administration."
“We’re pleased to bolster our own research by participating in this national survey of Latino voters and to ensure issues important to Coloradans are included,” said Dusti Gurule, President and CEO of Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights (COLOR). “Beyond views on the economy and immigration, this poll finds that three-quarters of Latino voters both in Colorado and nationally think it is wrong to make abortion illegal and take that choice away from everyone else.”
The bipartisan survey of 1,002 registered Latino voters nationwide — with oversamples in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida and Texas — was conducted April 11-19 by BSP Research and Shaw & Co.
In a media briefing Monday morning, pollsters noted that partisanship dominates many responses, but the data show that Latino Trump voters are not on board with all his policies, with support lagging by 7-10 points. On the other hand, data do not show they have embraced Democrats’ positions.
Key Findings Include:
On President Trump and his Administration:
58% (63% nationally) have an unfavorable view of the President, and 60% (59% nationally) disapprove of the job he is doing.
58% (61% nationally) have an unfavorable view of Elon Musk.
Two-thirds (67% in Colorado and 66% nationally) of Latino voters believe the Trump tariffs will hurt the economy and lead to higher prices.
On U.S. Congress and Political Parties
63% (60% nationally) have an unfavorable view of Republicans in Congress, and 54% (59% nationally) disapprove of the way they are handling their congressional majority.
63% in Colorado and nationally have a favorable view of Democrats in Congress, and 57% (58% nationally) approve of how they are handling their role in Congress, with 47% (60% nationally) saying Democrats should fight hard against the Trump administration and his policies.
57% (59% nationally) are not confident that Congress attempts to act in the best interest of Latinos, with only 15% in Colorado and nationally stating they are “very confident” in Congress today.
Only 36% of Colorado Latinos (compared to 49% nationally) say Democrats will do a better job addressing their top issues, while 22% (26% nationally) say Republicans will.
43% (54% nationally) say Democrats care a great deal about the Latino community, while 24% (25%) say Republicans care a great deal.
On Issues, Policies and Political Environment
Top priorities for Latino voters continue to be driven by pocketbook issues.
Issue | Rank in Colorado | Rank Nationally |
Jobs and the Economy | 1 (43%) | 2 (40%) |
Cost of living /inflation | 2 (42%) | 1 (52%) |
Health care | 3 (27%) | 4 (23%) |
Immigration reform | 4 (23%) | 5 (21%) |
Housing costs / availability | 5 (22%) | 3 (28%) |
53% (58% nationally) disapprove of changing Medicaid policies related to eligibility and coverage to cut $600-$800 billion from the program over the next 10 years.
62% (64% nationally) disagree with cutting personnel and offices from programs like Medicaid and Social Security.
72% (62% nationally) oppose reducing funds for the federal government’s SNAP program.
60% (66% nationally) believe the rule of law is failing and the constitution is being violated.
On the Economic Landscape
58% (60% nationally) believe President Trump and congressional Republicans are not focusing enough attention on lowering the cost of everyday necessities.
Compared to last year, 46% (54% nationally) feel the economy is worse now, with only 19% nationally and in Colorado thinking it’s doing better. 39% (35% nationally) say their own financial situation is worse.
Two-thirds (67% in Colorado and 66% nationally) believe the tariffs President Trump is implementing will reduce their economic opportunity and security by raising the price for goods and services; 66% (64% nationally) believe tariffs were a bad move and that trade will be terrible for the United States.
On Immigration & Border Security
82% (78% nationally) of Latino voters believe it is important to deport dangerous criminals, but that President Trump and congressional Republicans should not target long-residing undocumented immigrants without criminal records.
Top immigration policy priorities are a path to citizenship for long-residing undocumented immigrants (48% in Colorado and 54% nationally) and those brought to the country as children (54% in Colorado and 51% nationally), and cracking down on human smugglers and drug traffickers (45% in Colorado and 46% nationally).
Nearly half (46% in Colorado and 49% nationally) of Latino voters believe the Trump administration’s deportation policies put them, their family and/or friends at risk.
As for recent immigration policies and actions, 37% (43% nationally) think many people fear immigration authorities will arrest them even if they’re U.S. citizens or have legal status.
65% (60% nationally) disapprove of the administration’s actions of deporting undocumented immigrants from the U.S. without court hearings.
66% (62% nationally) disagree with eliminating birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S. to an undocumented parent.
On Climate Progress & Cost of Energy
66% (60% nationally) disapprove of eliminating funds for programs that help Americans pay their electricity bills to help cut the federal budget.
61% (59% nationally) disapprove of cutting federal aid for programs designed to address the impact of climate change and extreme weather events on local communities.
58% (57% nationally) disapprove of cutting funds for programs designed to improve environmental conditions in minority communities to help cut the overall federal budget.
“Latino voters are frustrated that their economic priorities are being ignored and that a key promise made by President Trump during the election is not being kept. Economic discontent was the most potent driver in the 2024 election, helping President Trump increase support among Latinos. But over half of Hispanic voters feel the economy is worse now than a year ago and nearly as many believe it will be worse a year from now,” said Janet Murguía, president and CEO of UnidoUS.
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About the Poll:
Bipartisan pollster team, BSP Research and Shaw & Co.
Total N=1,002 voters
N= 150 in California, Florida, Texas.
N= 100 in Arizona, Colorado.
Margin of error +/- 3.1%.
Field Dates: April 11– April 19, 2025
Survey available in English and Spanish, according to respondent preference
Mixed mode: live phones, text invites, online panels.
