Proud to Be Hispanic: A shared identity, divided experiences
A Pew survey reveals that most Hispanics consider their roots to be an important part of their identity, although they are divided on whether their background helps (26%) or hinders (33%) their opportunities.
A father and his son during the NJ Hispanic Parade
Most Hispanics living in the country consider their background to be a fundamental component of their personal identity. However, there is a marked division over whether that status helps or hinders their opportunities for advancement in the country, according to a Pew Research Center survey.
The study, conducted among 4,923 Latino adults in October 2025, reveals that 61% say that being Hispanic is an “extremely” or “very” important part of how they perceive themselves.
For many, being Hispanic simply means being American without any other labels. Thus, 40% maintain that being Hispanic neither influences nor hinders their ability to get ahead in the United States, while 33% consider it an obstacle and 26% believe it is an advantage.
The survey also reveals significant differences based on political affiliation and immigration experience. Among those who voted for Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election, 57% believe that being Hispanic neither helps nor hinders their ability to advance in the country. In contrast, among Kamala Harris voters, 39% say their Hispanic identity hinders their opportunities for advancement, while 38% believe it has no effect and 23% believe it helps them.
History
250 years of independence: The Hispanic power that contributed to the freedom of the United States
Williams Perdomo
Being Hispanic is more important to Democrats’ self-image
These differences are also reflected in the importance each group places on their identity. Forty-two percent of Trump voters say that being Hispanic is extremely or very important to their self-image, compared to 69% of those who supported Harris.
By party affiliation, 47% of Hispanic Republicans maintain that their background does not influence their chances of advancing, while 41% of Hispanic Democrats believe it does represent a disadvantage.
Discrimination: 54% have not experienced any incidents of discrimination because they are Hispanic
The report also analyzes experiences related to discrimination. Thirty-four percent of Hispanics say they have been discriminated against or treated unfairly by someone who is not Hispanic during the twelve months prior to the survey. In addition, 29% say they have been criticized for speaking Spanish in public, 26% say someone told them to go back to their country of origin, and 25% say they have been insulted because they are Hispanic.
However, 54% say they have not experienced any of these incidents, while 34% report that someone expressed support for them because of their heritage.
Hispanic, not Latinx
Likewise, 27% of immigrants consider themselves a “typical American,” a percentage that rises to 60% among second-generation Hispanics and to 72% among third-generation or later generations.
When it comes to how they define themselves, 53% typically use a reference to their country of origin or heritage—such as Mexican or Mexican-American— 27% prefer pan-ethnic terms such as “Hispanic” or “Latino,” and 18% describe themselves primarily as American.
Regarding terminology, most respondents prefer the term “Hispanic.” Fifty-four percent opt for that term, compared to 30% who prefer “Latino.” Only 1% choose “Latinx” and another 1% “Latine,” while 14% express no preference for any of these terms.
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