The Role of Immigration in the USA Election: What Percentage of Mexicans Voted for Trump in 2024 and Why It Matters for TN Visa Policy
How many Latinos voted for Trump 2024
The Latino community accounts for about 15% of the U.S. voting population. And this group has historically voted against the Republicans.
Thus, when Trump’s campaign rhetoric seemingly targeted Mexicans, observers wondered how the group would vote.
Many expected Trump to lose more Latino votes. Surprisingly, more Latinos than ever cast their ballot for the Republicans. This article looks at what may have caused this and how the change in Mexican voting behavior affects specific immigration policies like the TN Visa.
Background: U.S. Immigration Policy and TN Visas
The TN visa is an employment-based visa that allows Canadian and Mexican professionals to temporarily enter the U.S. for work. It was established under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and carried over into the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the modernized trade deal that replaced NAFTA.
Read Also: What Is a TN Visa?
Overview of TN Visa Requirements and Benefits
The TN Visa may just be the easiest U.S. work visa to obtain. It does not need employer sponsorship and all the strict compliance requirements that come with that. Secondly, the TN visa does not have annual caps, so individuals can apply for it all year round. Lastly, the visa is valid for only three years but can be renewed indefinitely.
To qualify for a TN visa, an applicant must:
- Be a Mexican or Canadian citizen.
- Have a job offer from a U.S. employer for a position listed on the NAFTA (USMCA) agreement as a qualifying TN Visa job.
- Have the educational and professional qualifications required for the job.
- Have a TN letter from their prospective U.S. employer outlining the specifics of the job (such as job title, summary of duties, employment duration, and remuneration).
- Intend to stay in the U.S. temporarily (not more than three years).
Recent Trends in Immigration Legislation
U.S. immigration legislation swings back and forth between liberal and restrictive policies, depending on the political leadership.
From 2009 to 2017, President Obama favored liberal and inclusive immigration policies. He introduced the DACA program to seek protection for undocumented immigrants and even pushed for a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.
From 2017 to 2021, Trump pursued restrictive policies. For example, he tightened border security and started building a great wall along the Mexico-U.S. border to limit border crossings. He even pushed to end DACA.
When Biden succeeded Trump in 2021, he reversed many of Trump’s restrictive policies and brought back more inclusive policies. These included restoring DACA and providing more protection for asylum-seekers and undocumented immigrants.
Trump’s return to the presidency in 2025 also resulted in stricter policies. These included tightening the border, deporting illegal immigrants, and restricting legal pathways for entering the U.S.
What Percentage of Mexicans Voted for Trump in 2024?
According to AS/COA, President Donald Trump received 42% of Latino votes in the 2024 elections. This performance is a Latino voting record for a Republican candidate, surpassing George Bush’s record of 40% in the 2004 elections.
Factors Influencing Mexican Voter Support
Mexican voter support for Republicans has grown over the years. The 42% Trump Latino vote 2024 surpasses the 32% he captured in the 2020 elections or the 28% he captured in his first presidential campaign in 2016.
Factors that may have influenced the increase in Mexican voter support are:
- Cultural and economic considerations: Many Mexican voters in America were drawn to Trump’s economic policies. Many reasoned that Trump’s promises of a stronger economy with robust job opportunities outweighed his controversial stance on immigration.
- Importance of immigration policy stances: Trump somehow convinced some Mexican voters that curbing illegal immigration is necessary for maintaining national security.
- Impact of targeted campaign efforts: Trump targeted specific messages at Latino voters that touched on the issues that resonated with them. This swayed them from the Democrats, who many felt lacked directness.
Why Mexican Voter Turnout Matters for TN Visa Policy
Mexican voter support for Trump can potentially affect U.S. immigration policy.
Political Momentum and Immigration Reforms
Trump reached Latino voters through anti-illegal immigration and economic messaging. Thus, to maintain its increased support among Latino voters, his administration may pursue policies that address border security while also appealing to the economic values many Latinos hold. This could impact work visas like the TN visa.
Potential Changes to TN Visa Regulations
The administration may push for TN visa policy changes, such as streamlining TN visa applications and enhancing vetting processes, to keep Latino voters.
When streamlining TN applications (improving the processing time for TN visa applications), they can posture this as facilitating the movement of high-skilled labor without opening the door to illegal immigration.
The administration may also push for stronger vetting for TN visa applications. They can posture this as ensuring that those entering the U.S. under the program will contribute positively to economic growth without compromising national security.
The Role of Immigration in the Broader U.S. Election
Immigration has always played a key role in U.S. politics.
Key Debates Surrounding Immigration
Republicans always push for more restrictive immigration policies, such as tightening border security and limiting illegal immigration. But the Democrats always argue for more inclusive policies, such as pathways to citizenship for undocumented individuals and greater protection for asylum seekers.
Impact on International Relations
Immigration policy shifts also influence international relations. For example, the TN visa is part of a trade deal between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada that facilitates the movement of goods and workers between the three countries.
For this reason, immigration legislation restricting Mexican professionals’ ability to move to the U.S. under the TN visa would undermine the trade agreement. This can strain U.S.-Mexico relations and negatively impact future international agreements.
Steps to Stay Prepared
As immigration policies evolve, current and prospective TN visa holders need to stay informed about changes.
Keep track of political developments, as these often affect immigration policies. Monitor updates from the USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) regularly for changes. When in doubt, consult immigration attorneys for clear explanations of current policies and how they impact specific immigration statuses.
Conclusion
Hispanic vote’ for Trump 2024 showed the growing complexity of Latino voters in America. Latinos have historically voted for the Democrats (who favor inclusive immigration policies). The Democrats still got the majority of Latino votes in the 2024 elections, but more Latinos than ever before voted for Trump and his Republican party (who favor more restrictive policies).This shift in Latino support for Trump could lead to changes in how skilled professionals from Mexico are treated under U.S. law. Do you have questions about TN visa policy changes? Contact TNVisaExpert for personalized advice.
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Author Jacob Sapochnick serves as the Managing Partner/CEO of a prominent law firm that focuses on immigration law. Boasting an extensive legal background spanning over a decade, he adeptly merges his enthusiasm for law with cutting-edge technology to aid clients worldwide in their journey to immigrate to the United States.