Although it looks like an impossible mission, Republican hopefuls would try to get the support from the Hispanic communities as they push their campaigns in key states of New Mexico, Nevada, Colorado and Florida. Critics say that the Republicans’ campaign has an anti-Hispanic tone.

Political watchers and immigrant-rights groups say that the damage has already been done. Hispanic votes could decide the winner in the key states mentioned above. And as the campaign continues, Republicans are generally viewed as enemies of the Hispanic communities.

GOP front-runner Mitt Romney said that the DREAM Act as a handout. The measure could let undocumented immigrants who came to the United States as children to earn legal status if they joined the military or went to college. Those who opposed the DREAM Act include Texas Governor Rick Perry, Ron Paul, and Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum.

New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez warned her fellow Republicans to watch their tongues. She gave out the advice after the Republican National Committee announced that it had expanded its Latino-focused efforts and employed a director of Hispanic outreach. Martinez would be deployed with other Republican Hispanic candidates to battleground states in the upcoming months.

The government estimates that Hispanics would make up 30 percent of the total population in the United States by 2050. This is double their current size and would increase their political strength. Hispanics usually vote for Democrats and the Republicans see this as a threat to their power in the future.