Latinos & Racism in the Trump Era

This essay examines the roots, causes, and effects of racism experienced by Latinos in the Trump era. We argue that Trump and his administration were not the origin of Latinos' experiences of racism, but his rise to power was, in part, derived from Latino racialization. Preexisting politics of Latino immigration, Whites' fear of loss of status due to demographic shifts, and historical and contemporary processes of racializing Latinos were seized by the Trump administration and made central features of his renegade presidential campaign and policy agenda. White nationalist racism became the defining feature of the Trump presidency, making Latinos' heightened experiences of racism, and the relegitimization of overt White nationalism, one of its lasting legacies.

Automated summary

This essay examines the roots, causes, and effects of racism experienced by Latinos in the Trump era. It argues that Trump's rise to power was partly derived from Latino racialization, with the administration seizing preexisting politics of Latino immigration, Whites' fear of loss of status due to demographic shifts, and historical and contemporary processes of racializing Latinos. White nationalist racism became the defining feature of the Trump presidency, leading to heightened experiences of racism among Latinos and the relegitimization of overt White nationalism.