Employment, inflation, the economy, health and crime are some of the issues that most interest Hispanics, according to the Hispanic association UnidosUS in its most recent survey conducted in November 2023. However, these are not new concerns. Every four years, when the country prepares for the presidential election, these issues come to light and the memory of what previous presidents did or did not do revives the discussion.
This year is no exception. The influence of the policies implemented by Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden during their administrations has been significant for the Hispanic community in the United States. From economic measures to changes in immigration policy, both mandates have left a deep and diverse mark on this community.
These are some of the actions of these leaders that have positively and negatively impacted Hispanics.
Trump: controversies and achievements
Economic boost
During the Trump administration, between 2017 and 2021, there was a before and after of the covid-19 pandemic in economic matters. In the first years of his government, the growth of the economy and the low unemployment rate among Hispanics stood out, reaching a record of 3.9% in September 2019.
However, the pandemic caused a drastic increase in unemployment, reaching 18.9% in April 2020 and stabilizing at 10.2% in September. Some experts such as Eduardo Gamarra, professor at Florida International University (FIU) and political analyst, say that favorable employment trends began under Barack Obama, so Trump cannot fully take credit for these achievements. “That is partially true, because that pattern had begun at the beginning of the century and accelerated with Obama and, obviously, the rate of employed Hispanics grew administration after administration,” he said.
The tax reform implemented under his administration reduced taxes for many Americans, including Latinos, and support for small businesses especially benefited Latino entrepreneurs, said Jovita Carranza, former administrator of the Federal Small Business Administration (SBA). in English), in an opinion column written in the Miami Herald in June 2020. He said that, before the pandemic, the average income of Latino businesses increased significantly and that support for minority entrepreneurs contributed to the rates Latino poverty rates will reach historic lows during his administration.
The signing of the Agreement between Mexico, the United States and Canada (T-MEC) was well received by many Latin businessmen. This agreement improved business opportunities for Hispanic companies in the region, especially in sectors such as the automotive industry.
Migration policy and rhetoric
Trump’s administration was marked by highly controversial immigration policies. The separation of families at the border, the elimination of DACA protection — the Deferred Action Program for Childhood Arrivals — and the implementation of policies such as “Remain in Mexico,” which required immigrants seeking asylum to remain in Mexico until their hearing date in the United States immigration court, generated outrage and fear among the Latino community. And although DACA remains in force temporarily, thanks to decisions made in various courts, it underwent some changes. The most important of them is that the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is prohibited from granting new petitions and does not approve petitions to new applicants. Currently, only previously granted permits are renewed.
These measures were seen by many as symbols of exclusion and hostility. However, Trump’s rhetoric also played a role. His disparaging comments about Mexican immigrants and other minorities created an atmosphere of tension and mistrust, negatively affecting the relationship between his administration and the Latino community.
Impact of the pandemic
The arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated economic and social hardships for Latinos. Although unemployment in the community reached historic lows before the pandemic, the health crisis caused a drastic increase in unemployment, disproportionately affecting this community.
During the pandemic, the US$2 trillion fiscal stimulus package left out many families of mixed immigration status, negatively affecting numerous Latinos who could not benefit from economic support at a time of crisis. However, there were many other Hispanic families who were favored, which increased Trump’s popularity in some areas of the country.
“Much of Donald Trump’s popularity among local Hispanics here in Miami, for example, is precisely because of those large subsidies during the Trump administration,” said Professor Gamarra.
Biden: promises and realities
Economic and social transformation
Joe Biden took office in 2021 with a focus on economic recovery and social welfare, especially after the ravages caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The American Rescue Plan was one of the pillars of his administration that sought to provide economic relief to millions of families, including Hispanics, especially with the expansion of the child tax credit.
In the fall of 2023, Biden launched Bidenomics, a campaign to highlight the general economic measures adopted during his term, in which he claimed that Hispanics have benefited. Investments in education, aid to schools and scholarships have also benefited young Latinos, the campaign says.
However, Gamarra says, despite good overall economic health, inflation and high housing costs have sparked criticism and discontent among the Latino community.
Immigration measures
One of Biden’s most important commitments to the Latino community has been the protection of immigrants. In the first months of his term, he granted Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to thousands of Venezuelans and extended this benefit to citizens of Honduras, Haiti, Nicaragua and El Salvador.
However, the immigration issue remains difficult terrain. The administration faces a significant challenge, among other things, due to concerns about the negative impacts of mass immigration on receiving communities. “Did he reverse Trump’s immigration policies? Yes, at first. Did he manage to reunify families? Yes, he tried not to separate them. But at the same time, a very serious problem was created as an administration because mass migration did not stop, rather it accelerated,” said Eduardo Gamarra.
And precisely on this issue, one of the most controversial at the national level, there were recent measures and proposals by both. On the one hand, President Biden ordered an executive action in mid-June that will allow certain undocumented spouses and children of US citizens to apply for legal permanent residence without leaving the United States. A measure that could benefit up to 550,000 undocumented immigrants.
Just a few days later, and in contrast to his anti-immigration rhetoric during the election campaign, former President Trump proposed during his appearance on a podcast to “automatically” grant a green card to foreigners who graduate from an American university.
Persistent challenges
Inflation and high housing costs have created discontent among Latinos, affecting their quality of life. In addition, the lack of resources at the border and in immigration services remains a serious problem. The shortage of federal judges and agents, aggravated by cuts by the previous administration, has made immigration management difficult, creating a bottleneck in the processing of applications.
The power of the Latino vote
The impact of Trump and Biden’s policies on the Hispanic community reflects their diverse approaches. Biden has focused her efforts on economic recovery and protecting immigrants, facing challenges in managing immigration and inflation. For his part, Trump prioritized tax cuts and economic deregulation, although his immigration policies and divisive rhetoric generated discontent among a segment of the population.
The Hispanic community currently plays a crucial role in the American political landscape, and its needs and concerns remain a focal point for any government. That is why, just a few months before the presidential elections in the United States, Trump and Biden, aware of the importance of the Latino vote, are trying to seduce this large sector of the population with various proposals.
