The way Hispanics perceive their identity in the United States is far from uniform; While some consider that their roots represent a strength and a source of connection with their community, others believe that being Hispanic means facing greater obstacles to advance personally and professionally.

This is revealed by a new Pew Research Center survey, conducted among almost 5,000 Hispanic adults in October 2025, whose results show profound differences marked by political affiliation, immigrant generation, and experiences of discrimination.

According to the study, 61% of Hispanic adults say their identity is a “very” or “extremely” important part of how they perceive themselves. However, when asked if that identity influences their opportunities, the responses were diverse: 33% believe that being Hispanic hurts their ability to advance, 26% believe it benefits them, and 40% maintain that it makes no difference.

The immigration experience makes a difference

One of the most relevant findings of the study is that the vision of identity changes considerably depending on the political position.

Among those who voted for Donald Trump in 2024, 57% consider that being Hispanic represents neither an advantage nor a disadvantage. In contrast, among those who supported Kamala Harris, 39% affirm that her identity does hinder her progress in the country.

There are also differences between immigrants and people born in the United States. 71% of Hispanic immigrants indicate that their origin is a fundamental part of their identity, compared to 54% of those born in the United States.

Experiences of discrimination persist

The study also documents that many Hispanics continue to face acts of discrimination.

34% claimed to have been discriminated against or treated unfairly during the year prior to the survey due to their origin. Additionally, 29% said they had been criticized for speaking Spanish in public; 26% stated that someone asked them to “go back to their country,” and 25% reported having received insults for being Hispanic.

However, the majority (54%) indicated that they did not experience any of these incidents during the period analyzed, while 34% stated that they had received expressions of support from other people due to their origin.

Another notable fact is the preference for the term “Hispanic” to define the community. 54% choose it compared to 30% who prefer “Latino”, while terms like “Latinx” and “Latine” barely reach 1% preference each.

Although the study was conducted before the recent changes in the immigration and economic policies of the Donald Trump administration, the researchers point out that it offers a useful x-ray of how millions of Hispanics currently understand their identity and their place within American society.

“61% of Hispanic adults say that being Hispanic is an extremely or very important part of how they perceive themselves,” the Pew Research Center highlights in its report.

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