Latinos in the United States: From Shadow Workers to the Voice of the Majority

By: Djamel Benali

At the heart of a changing American landscape, Latinos—or “Hispanics”—are emerging as a rising force, transcending their traditional roles as shadow workers to become a political and cultural influence shaping the future of the United States. From farms, restaurants, and construction sites to Congress, city councils, and universities, this demographic has moved from the margins into the spotlight, raising a central question: Have Latinos become the majority of tomorrow in a country long shaped by Anglo-Saxon whiteness?

1. The Numbers that Matter… and the Question of Identity

According to the U.S. Census Bureau (2024), the Latino population now exceeds 65 million, accounting for roughly 19% of the total U.S. population. More significant than the numbers themselves is the momentum:

Latinos are the fastest-growing demographic, especially among youth and new voters.

By 2050, their population is projected to surpass 100 million.

However, this demographic strength has not always translated into institutional or political power. For decades, Latinos have been treated as a silent mass within a massive production machine—without a meaningful voice in shaping public policy.

2. From Marginalization to Representation

The last decade has witnessed notable transformations:

Rising political representation: Figures such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have entered Congress, while local governments have seen a growing number of elected officials of Mexican, Cuban, or Puerto Rican descent.

Decisive electoral power: Latinos played a crucial role in tipping the balance toward Biden in states like Arizona, Nevada, and Georgia in 2020.

Cultural and media ascent: Latino identity is increasingly reflected in films, music, literature, and Spanish-language journalism reaching millions across the country.

A defining moment came during the Trump era, whose anti-immigrant policies transformed Latino communities into the conscience of American protest.

3. The Next Battle: Between Inclusion and Exploitation

Despite these advances, Latinos still face structural challenges:

High poverty rates.

Discrimination in housing and labor markets.

Media narratives linking them to crime or illegal immigration.

Many fear that Latinos may become just another electoral reservoir, used during campaign seasons and forgotten afterward. This raises a pressing question: Can Latinos build a self-defined political and cultural project, independent of the binary White–Black political discourse?

4. Latin America at the Heart of North America

The Latino rise is reshaping America’s cultural map:

The U.S. is no longer purely Anglo-Saxon and White.

The traditional Black–White binary no longer reflects true diversity