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 including Texas, California, and New Mexico, the report captures a pressing and increasingly familiar reality across the nation: Latine families are facing deepening financial hardships while simultaneously being disproportionately affected by a surge in deportations and immigration enforcement actions nationwide.
The findings paint a complex picture of a community that serves as a cornerstone of the American economy yet struggles profoundly to share in its prosperity. 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 at home. When these parents look toward Washington, their policy priorities for Congress and the president are remarkably clear: immigration reform leads 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, the squeeze of inflation is no longer abstract. If everyday expenses like groceries, health insurance, or childcare feel completely out of reach, families across the country are realizing they are far from alone. Nearly half of all respondents, precisely 49 percent, reported that their overall financial situation has actively worsened over the past year. To cover basic living expenses and keep up with bills, families are being forced to deplete whatever safety nets they have managed to build. The survey reveals that 40 percent of respondents have had to borrow money from friends or family members, 29 percent have relied on credit cards to bridge the gap, 21 percent are actively drawing down their hard-earned savings, and 23 percent have resorted to selling personal belongings.
These mounting economic pressures underscore an urgent, widespread call for substantive action on the broader economy, soaring living costs—including the heavy burden of childcare—and accessible health care. Across the board, wages are simply failing to keep pace with the honest, demanding work that people do every day to support their households.
Beyond the kitchen table economics, immigration policy and enforcement have emerged as another deeply pressing concern shaping daily life and mental well-being within the community. The report highlights alarming shifts in federal enforcement, noting that mothers of U.S. citizens have been deported at a rate four times higher than that seen under President Biden. Furthermore, about 23 percent of surveyed parents stated that friends or close family members had been either detained or deported over the past year alone.
The fear surrounding President Trump’s ongoing mass deportation plans and aggressive Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids has created a pervasive climate of anxiety. This fear is actively altering the daily routines and safety of Latine families with children, forcing parents to make heartbreaking sacrifices. According to the data, 35 percent of families have avoided taking their children to school due to fear of raids, 24 percent have avoided talking to local law enforcement when they otherwise might have, 21 percent have refrained from signing up for public benefits that they are legally eligible to receive, and 16 percent have avoided visiting doctors or seeking necessary medical care. Consequently, an overwhelming 75 percent of respondents now express steadfast support for comprehensive immigration reform, including expanded protections for recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
Despite navigating these profound economic and social challenges, Latines continue to demonstrate remarkable determination in finding new paths forward for themselves and their families. The report details how 44 percent of community members are actively seeking better-paying jobs or pursuing workplace promotions, 21 percent are taking the initiative to start a new business or launch a side venture, and 14 percent are pursuing career-building education, professional certifications, or specialized trade training. These proactive efforts underscore the deep-seated resilience of these communities amid an uncertain and often daunting future.
