Biden cannot ignore the Latino State of the Union

Tomorrow night, President Biden will give his third — and possibly final — State of the Union address. With the eyes of the nation upon him, he will lay out his accomplishments and future agenda. 

Watching closely will be Latinos, who comprise nearly 1 in 5 Americans. The Pew Center reports that a record 36 million Latinos will be eligible to vote in November. 

But how has the president done on issues that matter to members of the country’s largest racial and ethnic minority group? Here’s an assessment of Biden’s record so far: The Latino State of the Union 2024.  

Latinos rank economic concerns as their top issues and they have generally fared well during the Biden administration. 

Since the president took office, the economy has created 13.5 million jobs, including 4 million for Latinos. The Latino unemployment rate has been at historic lows, 5 percent in January. Latino-owned small business revenues and ownership are up, thanks, in part, to Biden’s American Rescue Plan. Inflation and gas prices are falling, while the stock market is setting records. 

These trends stand in contrast to the prior administration, which oversaw record job losses and a Latino unemployment rate of 9.3 percent during its last full month.  

Despite these metrics, many Latinos say they have not fully experienced the effects of a strong economy. This represents a challenge for the administration going forward, as good numbers will mean little to voters who are not feeling the recovery.  

On healthcare, the Biden administration has helped ensure healthy outcomes for Latinos by strengthening Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act. Under Biden, the Affordable Care Act has dramatically cut the Latino uninsured rate and the Latino child poverty rate has fallen. Measures like the cap on insulin prices through the Inflation Reduction Act benefit Latinos, who have disproportionately high rates of diabetes.  

It may surprise people that immigration does not rank among the top five issues for Latinos. In a major national poll of Latinos in November, it came in at sixth place. Immigration is the top concern for U.S. voters overall, though, and remains Biden’s greatest political vulnerability.  

With over 500 immigration actions taken in the last three years, Biden has had the “most active immigration presidency yet,” according to the Migration Policy Institute. His administration has increased legal immigration and refugee admissions, extended Temporary Protected Status to migrants from countries like Venezuela and cut back on immigration raids.  

Yet the administration has not put forward a coherent response to the border crisis, with its record levels of unauthorized crossings. While it may be partly due to forces beyond Biden’s control, such as Trump spiking a bipartisan Senate immigration plan, the administration owns this problem. 

Biden is reportedly mulling executive action that would restrict asylum, an idea that has rightfully drawn the opposition of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and immigrant advocates. Consider that Biden pledged in 2021 to restore and enhance the asylum process.   

On another issue, representation, Biden deserves credit for including Latinos at the highest levels of government and the judiciary. Four Latinos serve in the Cabinet, and Biden has appointed nearly a third of the active Latino lifetime judges. Last year, Biden put the first Latino on the influential D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.  

It’s undeniable that recent polls have shown Biden’s Latino support dropping. His job approval rating among Latinos stands at 47 percent, with 44 percent disapproving. These close numbers signal that the president needs to do a better job at messaging and outreach to Latinos. 

Still, surveys also show that Biden is in sync with majorities of Latinos on issues ranging from reproductive rights to LGBTQ equality to gun reform. He has acted on climate change and student loan debt, both of which matter greatly to young Latinos. Major Latino advocacy groups have applauded his vision and leadership. 

The administration must highlight these facts in the campaign ahead, particularly since Biden’s likely opponent has promised mass deportations, a national abortion ban and an authoritarian approach to governing.  

While Biden’s policies have benefitted Latinos in myriad ways, there is work to be done in raising awareness of his accomplishments. The Latino State of the Union is strong — now it’s time for the president to convince Latinos that he can make it better.  

Raul A. Reyes is an attorney and contributor to NBC Latino and CNN Opinion. Follow him on X: @RaulAReyes, Instagram @raulareyes1.