The inability to keep up with the sharp rise in costs is forcing far too many Latino parents to make difficult decisions that may have long-term consequences for their families. This urgent warning comes directly from the findings of the newly released “National Latino Family Report 2026,” a comprehensive collaborative project conducted by AP-OD, UnidosUS, and BSP Research, with a particular focus on the experiences of families living in Texas, California, and New Mexico. The report captures a familiar and increasingly painful reality: Latino and Latine families across the United States are facing deepening financial hardships while simultaneously being disproportionately affected by a shifting enforcement landscape and aggressive deportation policies nationwide.
This stark economic and social squeeze exists despite the enormous and undeniable contributions the community makes to the broader American economy. Driven by a relentless work ethic and deep entrepreneurial energy, the Latine community was responsible for driving over $4 trillion in economic output within the U.S. workforce in 2025 alone. Yet, even as they serve as a vital engine for national prosperity, 78 percent of the Latine community reports experiencing living conditions that are “only fair or poor.” These compounding pressures paint a troubling picture of a population fueling national economic growth while struggling to secure basic financial stability and peace of mind for their own households.
The findings of the report are drawn from a robust survey of 1,300 Latine parents and primary caregivers who are raising young children. When asked to look ahead and define their most pressing legislative priorities for Congress and the President, respondents placed immigration reform at the very top of the list, with 42 percent identifying it as their primary concern. This was followed closely by jobs and the economy at 38 percent, the soaring cost of living and inflation at 37 percent, housing affordability at 25 percent, health care access at 20 percent, and border security at 15 percent. These priorities reflect a dual burden: families are desperately trying to stay afloat in an unforgiving economic climate while navigating intense anxieties surrounding their legal status, community safety, and family unity.
For millions of households, the daily struggle to make ends meet has intensified significantly over the past year. If everyday essentials like groceries, health insurance premiums, or reliable childcare feel increasingly out of reach, families across the country are discovering that they are far from alone in their financial distress. Nearly half of all survey respondents—an alarming 49 percent—stated that their overall financial situation had actually worsened over the course of the previous year. Wages simply are not keeping pace with the relentless rise in the cost of living, leaving hardworking parents with fewer and fewer viable options to provide for their children.
To cover basic monthly expenses and bridge the gap between stagnant paychecks and escalating bills, families have been forced to tap into whatever meager safety nets they can find. According to the report, 40 percent of respondents have had to borrow money from friends or family members just to get by. Furthermore, 29 percent have been forced to rely on credit cards, accumulating high-interest debt that will take years to pay off. Another 23 percent have resorted to selling personal belongings to generate cash, while 21 percent are actively drawing down whatever little savings they had managed to put aside for emergencies. These desperate measures underscore urgent, widespread calls for immediate policy action focused on revitalizing the economy, reining in the runaway cost of living—including the notoriously prohibitive cost of childcare—and making health care genuinely accessible and affordable for working-class families.
Beyond the immediate financial strains, immigration policy and enforcement practices represent another deeply pressing concern that directly impacts the daily lives and mental well-being of Latine families. The survey highlights grim statistics regarding the human toll of enforcement actions, noting in particular that mothers of U.S. citizen children have been deported at a rate four times higher than what was seen under the administration of President Joe Biden. The ripple effects of these aggressive enforcement measures are felt widely within communities, with approximately 23 percent of respondents reporting that they have a close friend or family member who has been detained or deported over the past year alone.
The pervasive fear surrounding President Donald Trump’s ongoing mass deportation plans and aggressive Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids has fundamentally altered the daily routines and behavior of Latine families with children. Fearing detection and separation, many parents have altered their habits in ways that could have profound developmental and educational consequences for their children. The survey reveals that 35 percent of families have avoided taking their children to school out of fear of ICE raids in the surrounding area. Additionally, 24 percent stated they avoid talking to or seeking assistance from local police officers, 21 percent have refrained from signing up for public assistance and government benefits for which they may be legally eligible, and 16 percent have avoided visiting doctors or seeking necessary medical care for fear of exposure.
Faced with this climate of fear and uncertainty, support for comprehensive legislative solutions has reached new highs. Fully 75 percent of respondents now express strong support for sweeping immigration reform, including the expansion of protections for Dreamers through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The data suggests that as enforcement actions hit closer to home and disrupt basic educational, health, and social routines, the demand for a humane, predictable, and fair immigration system has become an absolute consensus issue within the community.
Despite confronting these formidable economic hurdles and social anxieties, Latines across the country continue to demonstrate remarkable determination, resourcefulness, and adaptability in finding new paths forward. Rather than yielding to despair, individuals and families are actively taking matters into their own hands to improve their economic standing and secure a better future for the next generation. The report highlights that 44 percent of respondents are actively seeking better-paying jobs or pursuing workplace promotions to increase their household income. Meanwhile, 21 percent are taking the bold step of starting their own businesses or launching side enterprises to diversify their sources of revenue, and 14 percent are investing their time and energy into career-building education, professional certifications, or trade training programs.
These proactive efforts underscore the enduring resilience of the Latine community as it navigates an uncertain economic and political future, continuing to build and contribute to the American fabric even while bearing the weight of systemic challenges.
