The problem with statements like this from Rand Paul indicate he really has no clue about Latin culture and South American politics.
Latino's may be or lean "conservative" on social issues but when it comes to economic issues it's a whole different ball game.
Many Latino's who come to America from Mexico, Venezuela, etc.. come from an economic background where they are generally speaking --- poor --- and the Government is the source of all wealth (at least beyond the drug lords and drug trade.)
Latino's who come to America come with the same view that the Government is the source of all wealth -- because that's what they grew up under.
Again, on Social issues like abortion, they tend to lean Conservative. Latino's are for the most part very family oriented and frankly -- when's the last time you saw a latino beggar on the city streets? I work in Downtown Chicago and in the past 28 years I've not seen a single Latino beggar. Why? Because Latino's consider it a disgrace for a family member to beg.
Back to Rand Paul: His assertion that Latino voters have been "pushed away" by so called harsh rhetoric over immigration is bullsh*t. Latino's who came here LEGALLY are frankly upset at those who came here illegally. Latino's who came here LEGALLY and have been here for more than one generation are in favor of strong border protection. That's been proven in several polls.
The reason Latino voters vote Democrat Party mostly as a bloc is because of their own economic perceptions and experiences which place Government at the center and source of all wealth.
If they didn't get it from the Government in Mexico, Venezuela or whatever country they came from, they didn't get it. They hold that same belief here.
That's why "amnesty" by any other name and so-called "paths to citizenship" must be stopped. Those who don't contribute to this country one thin dime damn' near outnumber those of us paying 50% and higher in taxes on every dollar we make. Make these illegal immigrants legal and this country is lost. The moochers will outnumber the producers and this country will simply accelerate it's decline.
I can never support Rand Paul because of his basic misunderstanding of Latin Culture (which btw, was told to me by a Latino friend!)
I don't know about abortion but I don't buy the line about being socially and culturally Conservative.
Here in Caliph-ornia, in the birth announcements in the paper 75%of the announcements only list the mother's name. Yes, they may attend church services in relatively large numbers, but it's mostly women and a goodly proportion of them are on the dole.
I would guesstimate that the men are incarcerated at roughly the same rate as blacks.