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 newly released “National Latino Family Report 2026,” a comprehensive collaborative study conducted by AP-OD, UnidosUS, and BSP Research. Centered heavily on key states with large Latino populations such as 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 surge in deportations nationwide.
The findings paint a complex picture of a community that serves as a cornerstone of the national economy yet struggles profoundly to achieve basic financial security. Despite driving over $4 trillion in economic output within the U.S. workforce in 2025, an overwhelming 78 percent of the Latine community reports experiencing living conditions that they describe as “only fair or poor.” These insights are drawn from a detailed survey of 1,300 Latine parents and primary caregivers who have young children living at home. When asked to evaluate the most pressing issues facing the country, these parents outlined clear priorities for Congress and the president. Immigration reform topped the list at 42 percent, closely followed by jobs and the economy at 38 percent, the rising 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, these policy priorities stem from everyday struggles that have intensified over recent years. If routine household expenses like groceries, health insurance, or childcare feel increasingly out of reach, families are finding that they are certainly not alone in this burden. Nearly half of all survey respondents, accounting for 49 percent, reported that their overall financial situation has worsened over the course of the past year alone. To cover basic living expenses and bridge the gap between stagnant wages and soaring prices, families have had to resort to desperate financial measures. The report reveals that 40 percent of respondents have had to borrow money from friends or family members, 29 percent have relied on credit cards to stay afloat, 21 percent are actively drawing down their dwindling savings accounts, and 23 percent have resorted to selling personal belongings.
These severe pressures underscore widespread and urgent calls for legislative action targeting the broader economy, runaway living costs—with a specific emphasis on the prohibitive expense of childcare—and comprehensive health care reform. Across the board, wages simply are not keeping pace with the strenuous work that people perform every day, leaving families vulnerable to economic shocks.
Alongside these economic hurdles, immigration policy and enforcement represent another deeply pressing concern that directly impacts the daily lives, safety, and mental well-being of Latine families. The survey highlights alarming trends in federal enforcement, reporting that mothers of U.S. citizen children have been deported at a rate four times higher than that observed under President Biden. Furthermore, approximately 23 percent of respondents stated that they have had friends or family members either detained or deported within the past year alone.
The climate of fear generated by President Trump’s ongoing mass deportation plans and aggressive Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids has had a chilling effect on public participation and basic daily routines among Latine families with children. The survey reveals that this pervasive fear has led parents to alter their behaviors significantly to protect their households. Specifically, 35 percent of families have avoided taking their children to school, 24 percent have become hesitant to talk to law enforcement when they need assistance, 21 percent have avoided signing up for public benefits and assistance programs to which they may be entitled, and 16 percent have delayed or avoided visiting doctors for necessary medical care. Consequently, the crisis has galvanized public opinion within the community, with 75 percent of respondents now expressing strong support for comprehensive immigration reform, including expanded protections for Dreamers through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
Despite confronting these overlapping economic and social challenges, Latines continue to demonstrate remarkable determination in finding new paths forward and securing a better future for their families. Rather than succumbing to adversity, members of the community are actively pursuing upward mobility and financial stability through various avenues. The report indicates that 44 percent of respondents are actively seeking better-paying jobs or pursuing career promotions, 21 percent are taking the initiative to start their own businesses or side enterprises to supplement their household income, and 14 percent are investing in career-building education, professional certifications, or specialized trade training programs. These proactive efforts powerfully underscore the deep-rooted resilience of communities navigating an uncertain political and economic future.
