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 stark warning comes directly from the "National Latino Family Report 2026," a comprehensive new study released by AP-OD, UnidosUS, and BSP Research. Centered heavily on key states with large Latino populations including Texas, California, and New Mexico, the report captures a familiar and increasingly urgent reality: Latino and Latine families across the United States are facing deepening financial hardships while simultaneously being disproportionately affected by intensified enforcement and deportations nationwide.
Despite serving as a vital engine of the American economy and driving over $4 trillion in economic output within the U.S. workforce in 2025, a staggering 78 percent of the Latine community report experiencing only "fair or poor" living conditions. The findings are drawn from an extensive survey of 1,300 Latine parents and primary caregivers who are raising young children. When asked about their primary legislative priorities for Congress and the president, respondents pointed overwhelmingly to structural and economic concerns, placing immigration reform at the very top of the agenda at 42 percent. This was closely followed by jobs and the economy at 38 percent, 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.
For millions of households, the daily struggle to make ends meet has intensified significantly. If everyday necessities like groceries, health insurance, or childcare feel increasingly out of reach, families across the country are realizing they are far from alone in their struggle. Nearly half of the survey respondents, sitting at 49 percent, reported that their overall financial situation had actively worsened over the past year.
To cover basic household expenses and bridge the gap between stagnant wages and soaring inflation, families have been forced to tap into emergency measures. The report reveals that 40 percent of respondents had to borrow money from friends or family members, 29 percent relied on credit cards to pay for essentials, 21 percent were forced to draw down their hard-earned savings, and 23 percent resorted to selling personal belongings. These widespread financial pressures underscore urgent and ongoing calls for federal action regarding the broader economy, the skyrocketing cost of living—with particular emphasis on the crushing burden of childcare—and accessible health care. Across the board, wages are simply failing to keep pace with the tireless work people perform every day.
Beyond economic instability, immigration policy and enforcement represent another deeply pressing concern shaping the daily lives of Latino families. The survey highlights alarming trends on the ground, noting that mothers who are parents of U.S. citizens have faced deportation at four times the rate recorded under the previous administration led by President Biden. Furthermore, approximately 23 percent of respondents stated that they had friends or family members who had been detained or deported over the past year alone.
The pervasive fear surrounding President Trump’s ongoing mass deportation plans and aggressive Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids has triggered profound behavioral changes among Latine families with children. Out of fear and a desire to protect their households, many are altering their daily routines in ways that impact their integration and well-being. The survey found that 35 percent of families have avoided taking their children to school, 24 percent have avoided talking to local police, 21 percent have refrained from signing up for vital public benefits for which they may be eligible, and 16 percent have avoided visiting doctors for necessary medical care. Consequently, 75 percent of respondents now express vocal support for comprehensive immigration reform, including expanded protections for recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
Despite confronting these formidable economic and social challenges, Latines continue to demonstrate remarkable determination in finding new paths forward and securing their families’ futures. The report indicates that 44 percent of respondents are actively seeking better-paying job opportunities or pursuing career promotions, 21 percent are taking the initiative to start their own businesses or side enterprises, and 14 percent are pursuing career-building education, professional certifications, or trade training programs. These proactive efforts underscore the enduring resilience of communities navigating an uncertain future.
