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 explores the roots of racism experienced by Latinos in the Trump era, arguing that Trump and his administration were not the origin of this racism, but benefited from Latino racialization. The politics of Latino immigration, White fear of loss of status, and historical and contemporary processes of racializing Latinos were key factors in Trump's rise to power. The Trump administration seized upon these factors to champion White nationalist racism, leading to heightened experiences of racism for Latinos and the normalization of overt White nationalism.