Why Hispanic Americans are losing faith in the American Dream

Billy Odell Tucker-Robinson Founder & Host — Banking With Billy Network • Intelligence Network • Data Science • AI Research • World News
Published: 2026-09-17T12:33:05.764Z • Permanent link

Recent polling data from the Pew Research Center has shed light on a concerning trend among Hispanic Americans: a decline in their faith in the American Dream. According to a survey conducted in 2022, 46% of Hispanic adults reported feeling that the country is not a "land of opportunity" for their group, a significant increase from 2017 when just 32% held this view. The survey's findings are particularly striking when considering the historical context of the American Dream, which has long been seen as a symbol of upward mobility and social advancement.

Experts point to the rise of identity politics and the increasing politicization of issues affecting Hispanic Americans as a major factor in the decline of faith in the American Dream. The growing influence of progressive politicians and advocacy groups has led to increased tensions between Hispanic Americans and other racial and ethnic groups, creating divisions that are deeply entrenched in the country's social and economic fabric. For example, a 2022 report by the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) found that Hispanic Americans are increasingly feeling marginalized and excluded from the country's economic opportunities.

The decline of faith in the American Dream is also being driven by the changing demographics of Hispanic Americans themselves. The Hispanic population is becoming increasingly diverse, with younger generations identifying as more urban, educated, and cosmopolitan. This shift is reflected in the growing popularity of urban areas and cities, which are often associated with higher levels of economic opportunity and social mobility. However, this trend also raises questions about the future of the American Dream, as the traditional notion of upward mobility and social advancement becomes increasingly difficult to achieve in these rapidly changing urban environments.

The decline of faith in the American Dream has significant implications for companies and research communities that rely on Hispanic Americans as a key demographic market. For example, the National Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (NHCC) has reported a decline in Hispanic American business owners and entrepreneurs, citing a lack of access to capital and resources as a major factor. This trend is also affecting research communities, as Hispanic Americans are increasingly being excluded from studies and surveys on economic opportunity and social mobility.

The decline of faith in the American Dream is also having a profound impact on markets and policy environments. For example, the US Treasury Department's "Report on the State of Hispanic Financial Inclusion" found that Hispanic Americans are disproportionately affected by financial exclusion, with limited access to credit and other financial services. This trend is having a ripple effect throughout the economy, as Hispanic Americans are increasingly being priced out of the housing market and other economic opportunities.

The decline of faith in the American Dream is part of a larger pattern of disillusionment among marginalized communities in the United States. The 2020 US Census found that 53% of African Americans and 46% of Asian Americans reported feeling that the country is not a "land of opportunity" for their group, a trend that is eerily reminiscent of the decline of faith in the American Dream. This trend is also being driven by the growing influence of progressive politics and the increasing politicization of issues affecting marginalized communities.