Latino evangelical voters/ Latino evangelicals 2024 election/ immigration rhetoric evangelicals/ Latino evangelical faith/ political divide Latino evangelicals/ Newslooks/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Latino evangelical voters in the U.S. are grappling with a choice between conservative social values and the harsh immigration rhetoric dominating the 2024 election. While many align with conservative stances on abortion and family values, the community feels politically torn, especially on immigration reform and economic issues impacting their congregations.
Latino Evangelicals’ Political Dilemma: Quick Looks
- Faith vs. policy conflict: Latino evangelicals value traditional social issues but feel conflicted by immigration rhetoric.
- Political “homelessness” Many feel politically unaffiliated as both parties lack full alignment with their views.
- Social justice focus: Issues like immigration, healthcare, and economic stability are critical concerns for this community.
- Diverse political leanings: Preferences vary based on church backgrounds and community needs.
Latino Evangelicals Face Dilemma Between Abortion, Immigration Rhetoric
Deep Look
As the 2024 election draws near, Latino evangelical voters face a challenging choice: balancing their deeply held faith-based values with political rhetoric that often contradicts their lived experiences. For leaders like Rev. Arturo Laguna, who heads Casa de Adoracion in Phoenix, Arizona—a crucial swing state—the decision is complex. “For my congregation, voting is more than a choice; it’s about faith and spirituality,” Laguna explains. His congregants feel caught between opposing priorities: while many support conservative values on issues like abortion, they’re unsettled by the divisive immigration rhetoric and stalled reforms affecting immigrant families.
Growing Influence of Latino Evangelical Voters
Latino evangelicals are an increasingly influential voting bloc in the U.S., where they represent the fastest-growing segment among American evangelicals. According to a 2022 Pew Research survey, about 15% of Latinos identify as evangelical Protestants, and their numbers have grown as white Protestant denominations decline. Despite traditionally supporting Democratic candidates, a majority of Latino evangelicals voted for Donald Trump in 2020. Current polls show that around two-thirds plan to back Trump in 2024, reflecting a complex alignment of values and priorities.
Agustin Quiles, president of Mission Talk, a Florida-based Latino Christian social justice group, describes this political tension as a feeling of “political homelessness.” Quiles explains that while many support conservative stances on social issues, they also see the urgent need for immigration reform and social justice. Yet, Democrats have struggled to engage Latino evangelicals on issues like abortion, leaving many in a “silent state of discontent.”
Cultural Roots and Community Focus
The unique history and diversity of Latino evangelicals also play a role in their complex political stance. Scholar Elizabeth Conde-Frazier notes that many Latino Protestant communities, especially those comprising immigrants, formed around a sense of identity and community in the U.S. “For these congregants, their church is not just a place of worship; it’s a community and a space to find direction in a new country,” she says. Over generations, many Latino evangelicals have shifted toward conservative evangelical traditions, aligning more closely with the political values of white evangelical churches in the U.S., while still deeply valuing social justice and immigration reform.
In some Latino churches, especially those integrated into larger white evangelical congregations, there is an underlying conflict between what is preached and how it is received. Quiles notes, “Even if a pastor promotes an anti-immigrant agenda, the congregants may take what aligns with their beliefs and discard the rest, revealing a selective reception within Latino churches.”
Balancing Faith and Political Affiliation
The diversity of views among Latino evangelicals often makes it hard to generalize their political loyalties. Rev. Juan Garcia, who leads the Hispanic ministry at First Baptist Church in Newport News, Virginia, describes his struggle with party affiliation, emphasizing that neither party fully aligns with his values. “For me, Christianity transcends political labels,” Garcia says. He encourages his congregation to prioritize compassion, a value he believes should guide all Christians regardless of political affiliation.
Rev. Jacqueline Tavarez of Pentecostal Church of God in Raleigh, North Carolina, highlights that many of her congregants are less interested in political personalities and more focused on issues that directly affect their communities, such as family stability, job access, and education. “Our community doesn’t care about politics for its own sake; they care about policies that affect them,” Tavarez explains, emphasizing that candidates’ values matter more than their party affiliation.
Distinct Views on Immigration and Social Justice
Latino evangelicals who attend larger evangelical churches with English and Spanish services often lean more conservative, according to John P. Tuman, a political science professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. In contrast, Latino congregations that hold services in Spanish or Indigenous languages may have more progressive views on issues like immigration. Tuman notes that such churches often promote social justice messages resonating with Democratic ideals, including paths to citizenship and community-based reforms.
Rev. Willie Pagan, who pastors Iglesia de Dios in North Las Vegas, says his congregants are focused on economic stability and public safety amid rising homelessness and crime. For some, the economic policies under the Trump administration offered a sense of security, while others are wary of his immigration policies. “Yes, immigration matters, but for many here, economic stability is crucial,” Pagan says, noting that while his congregants are conservative on social issues, immigration policies still influence their decision-making.
Faith Leaders Encourage Voting as a Community Responsibility
For many Latino evangelical leaders, the church is a place for social and civic empowerment, and they see voting as a crucial way to give their communities a voice. Bishop Angel Marcial, overseeing the Church of God’s 15,000 churches, believes voting provides recognition and respect within American society. “We don’t tell congregants whom to vote for, but we do inform them about platforms that support our values and community needs,” he says.
Latino evangelical leaders are careful in encouraging voting without pushing for specific candidates. Rev. Lori Tapia, president of the Arizona-based Obra Hispana, Disciples of Christ, emphasizes that compassion guides many Latino evangelicals’ political engagement. “Our community wants leaders who are committed to compassionate policies,” she explains. She sees a desire among congregants for real, positive impacts in areas like healthcare, jobs, and housing, alongside frustration over the slow progress on critical issues.
As Election Day approaches, the Latino evangelical community remains a pivotal yet complex voting bloc. For these voters, religious faith and political choices intersect in ways that reflect both a deep commitment to social values and a realistic need for supportive policies. With both parties vying for their support, Latino evangelicals may play a key role in shaping the election’s outcome.
