The inability to keep up with the sharp rise in living costs is forcing far too many Latino parents to make difficult, sometimes agonizing decisions that may carry long-term consequences for their families. This stark warning is at the heart of the newly released "National Latino Family Report 2026," a comprehensive study conducted by AP-OD, UnidosUS, and BSP Research, with a particular focus on the states of Texas, California, and New Mexico. The findings capture a reality that has become increasingly familiar to millions of households across the nation: Latino families are facing deepening financial hardships while simultaneously being disproportionately affected by immigration enforcement and deportations nationwide.
The report paints a complex picture of a community that serves as a cornerstone of the American economy while struggling to secure basic financial stability for its own households. Despite driving more than $4 trillion in economic output through the U.S. workforce in 2025, a staggering 78 percent of the Latino community surveyed is experiencing living conditions they describe as "only fair or poor." These insights are drawn from a detailed survey of 1,300 Latino parents and primary caregivers who are raising young children. When asked to look ahead and define their legislative priorities for Congress and the president, respondents pointed overwhelmingly to economic and immigration concerns. Immigration reform emerged as the top priority for 42 percent of participants, closely followed by jobs and the economy at 38 percent, the 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 many households, these priorities are rooted in daily struggles to make ends meet. If everyday essentials like groceries, health insurance, or childcare feel increasingly out of reach, families are finding that they are far from alone in their financial distress. Nearly half of all respondents—49 percent—reported that their overall financial situation had actively worsened over the course of the past year. To cover basic expenses and bridge the gap between their earnings and the cost of living, families have had to resort to difficult financial measures. According to the survey data, 40 percent of respondents borrowed money from friends or family members, 29 percent relied on credit cards, 21 percent were forced to draw down their hard-earned savings, and 23 percent sold personal belongings to generate cash.
These mounting economic pressures underscore widespread, urgent calls for meaningful action on the economy, soaring living costs—including the heavy burden of childcare—and accessible health care. Underlying much of this distress is the persistent reality that wages are simply not keeping pace with the hard work that people perform every day, leaving families vulnerable to economic shocks even as they contribute significantly to the broader national economy.
Alongside economic anxiety, immigration policy and enforcement stand out as deeply pressing concerns that affect the daily lives and psychological well-being of Latino families. The survey highlights alarming trends in enforcement, noting that mothers of U.S. citizen children have been deported at four times the rate recorded under the Biden administration. Furthermore, about 23 percent of respondents reported that friends or family members had been detained or deported over the past year alone. The fear surrounding President Trump’s ongoing mass deportation plans and the threat of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids has created a pervasive climate of anxiety. This fear has tangible, disruptive consequences for children and families, leading many to alter their daily routines to avoid detection or confrontation.
According to the data, fear of enforcement has caused Latino families with children to avoid taking their kids to school, with 35 percent of respondents altering this critical routine. Additionally, 24 percent of respondents reported avoiding interactions with the police, 21 percent have refrained from signing up for public benefits that their families may be legally entitled to, and 16 percent have avoided visiting doctors for necessary medical care. As a direct result of these escalating fears and the visible impact of enforcement policies, 75 percent of survey respondents now express support for comprehensive immigration reform, including expanded protections for recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
Despite the heavy weight of these economic and immigration challenges, Latino communities continue to demonstrate remarkable determination, actively seeking out paths forward and investing in their own futures. Rather than yielding to despair, individuals and families are taking proactive steps to improve their circumstances. The report shows that 44 percent of respondents are actively seeking better-paying jobs or pursuing career promotions, 21 percent are working to start a new business or side enterprise, and 14 percent are pursuing career-building education, professional certifications, or specialized trade training. These widespread efforts underscore the deep resilience of Latino communities as they navigate an uncertain and challenging future.
