All the polls made it clear: The top concern for Latinos is the economy. What did Latinos get from the Democratic campaign? Vague speeches with no concrete solutions. The Harris-Walz campaign repeatedly tried to label President-elect Donald Trump as a xenophobe, believing that accusation alone would be enough to maintain Latino support. It wasn’t. Vice President Kamala Harris lost 13 points among Latinos compared to the vote President Joe Biden received four years ago.

The man whom Democrats have accused for years of being racist and xenophobic has become the Republican candidate with the highest percentage of Latino voters. What a powerful message Latinos have sent to the Democratic Party. This should be a lesson in humility for a party that believed it could win without listening to voters or offering clear solutions to their problems.

Most Latinos come to this country seeking a better future, escaping the poverty and violence that plague their home countries. Yet, in recent years, inflation and rising insecurity have gradually eroded the American dream they once hoped to achieve. Like most Americans, Latinos care more about filling their pockets than listening to motivational speeches. Laughter and empty words won’t put food on the tables of working-class families.

Regarding immigration, most Latinos agree that there should be reform to make it easier to obtain citizenship in this country. However, that doesn’t mean they want open borders with no control. The crisis at the border is affecting Latinos in many ways. The last thing a Latino who fled his home country due to violence and came here legally wants to see is that gangs such as MS-13 or Tren de Aragua are now operating in the United States as well.

Even Latinos who live in safe neighborhoods who are not directly affected by crime don’t want to be associated with that type of migrant. The majority of Latinos are hardworking and law-abiding, and we don’t want to be unfairly labeled because of the actions of a few. That’s why it’s important to ensure the border is secure and proper measures are in place to prevent criminals from entering the country.