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 is at the heart of the "National Latino Family Report 2026," a comprehensive new study released by AP-OD, UnidosUS, and BSP Research. Centered heavily on key states including Texas, California, and New Mexico, the report captures a familiar and increasingly urgent reality: Latine families across the United States are facing deepening financial hardships while simultaneously being disproportionately affected by a shifting enforcement landscape and rising deportations nationwide.
The findings paint a complex picture of a population that serves as a vital backbone for the American economy yet struggles profoundly to achieve financial stability and basic security. Despite driving over $4 trillion in economic output within the U.S. workforce in 2025, an overwhelming 78 percent of the Latine community is currently experiencing living conditions that they describe as "only fair or poor." These insights were gathered through a detailed survey of 1,300 Latine parents and primary caregivers who have young children in their households, providing a direct window into the daily struggles of families trying to navigate a high-inflation environment.
When asked to look ahead and define their primary legislative priorities for Congress and the president, the surveyed parents placed immigration reform at the very top of the agenda, cited by 42 percent of respondents. This was closely followed by concerns regarding jobs and the economy at 38 percent, the broader 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 percentages reflect a community deeply concerned with both immediate economic survival and the systemic legal frameworks that govern their families’ futures.
If everyday essentials such as groceries, health insurance, or childcare feel increasingly out of reach, families are far from alone in that struggle. Nearly half of all survey respondents, amounting to 49 percent, reported that their overall financial situation has actively worsened over the course of the past year. To cover basic monthly expenses and bridge the gap between stagnant wages and rising bills, families have been forced to tap into emergency measures. Specifically, 40 percent of respondents reported borrowing money from friends or family members, 29 percent relied on credit cards to cover necessities, 21 percent were forced to draw down what little savings they had managed to accumulate, and 23 percent resorted to selling personal belongings.
These mounting economic pressures underscore persistent, widespread calls for substantive legislative action targeting the broader economy, the relentless cost of living—with particular emphasis on the prohibitive cost of childcare—and the health care system. Across the board, wages simply are not keeping pace with the demanding work that community members perform every single day, leaving households vulnerable to unexpected financial shocks.
Beyond immediate economic distress, immigration policy and enforcement loom large as pressing concerns that affect virtually every aspect of daily life for Latine families. The report highlights grim findings regarding the human cost of current enforcement practices, noting that mothers of U.S. citizen children have been deported at four times the rate seen under the previous administration of President Biden. Furthermore, about 23 percent of survey respondents reported that friends or family members had been directly detained or deported within the past year alone.
This climate of enforcement has generated widespread fear surrounding President Trump’s ongoing mass deportation plans and active Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids. The chilling effect of these policies has directly altered the daily routines of Latine families with children. According to the survey, fear has led significant portions of the community to avoid normal civic and social participation. Specifically, 35 percent of respondents said they avoid taking their children to school, 24 percent avoid talking to local law enforcement when they might otherwise need assistance, 21 percent avoid signing up for public benefits that their families may be legally entitled to, and 16 percent avoid visiting doctors for necessary medical care.
In response to these pervasive fears and the visible impact of enforcement actions on their communities, 75 percent of survey respondents now express strong support for comprehensive immigration reform, which includes expanded protections for Dreamers through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program.
Despite the heavy burden of these economic and social challenges, Latines continue to demonstrate remarkable determination in finding new paths forward and building stability for the next generation. The report highlights that 44 percent of respondents are actively seeking better-paying jobs or pursuing career promotions, 21 percent are taking the initiative to start a business or a side business to diversify their household income, and 14 percent are pursuing career-building education, professional certifications, or specialized trade training. These proactive efforts underscore the enduring resilience of communities striving to secure a better future amid ongoing economic uncertainty and shifting political landscapes.
