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 findings of the "National Latino Family Report 2026," a comprehensive new study released by AP-OD, UnidosUS, and BSP Research. Centered heavily on key states like Texas, California, and New Mexico, the report captures an increasingly familiar and painful reality across the United States. Latine families are currently facing deepening financial hardships while simultaneously being disproportionately affected by escalating deportations and enforcement actions nationwide.
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." The report draws these conclusions from a detailed survey of 1,300 Latine parents and primary caregivers who are currently raising young children. When asked about their most pressing legislative and policy priorities for Congress and the president, respondents highlighted a clear hierarchy of concerns. Immigration reform emerged as the top priority for 42 percent of those surveyed, 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 at 20 percent, and border security at 15 percent.
If everyday essentials like groceries, health insurance, or childcare feel increasingly out of reach, millions of families know they are not alone. Nearly half of all survey respondents, or 49 percent, reported that their overall financial situation has actually worsened over the past year. To cover basic living expenses and stay afloat, families have been forced to take drastic financial measures. The survey revealed 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 urgent, widespread calls for political action focused on the broader economy, runaway living costs—with a specific emphasis on the prohibitive cost of childcare—and accessible health care. Across the board, wages simply are not keeping pace with the strenuous work people do every day to support their households.
Beyond economic distress, immigration policy and enforcement represent another layer of profound and pressing concern for Latine households. The survey sheds light on alarming enforcement trends, reporting that mothers of U.S. citizens have been deported at four times the rate seen under the previous administration of President Biden. Furthermore, about 23 percent of respondents stated that they have had friends or family members detained or deported within just the past year.
The pervasive fear surrounding President Trump’s ongoing mass deportation plans and aggressive Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids has profoundly altered daily life. Latine families with children are increasingly altering their routines out of self-preservation and fear. According to the report, 35 percent of families have avoided taking their children to school, 24 percent have avoided talking to local police when encountering trouble, 21 percent have refrained from signing up for public benefits that they may be legally entitled to, and 16 percent have avoided visiting doctors or seeking necessary medical care. As a direct result of these escalating fears and the visible impact of enforcement actions, 75 percent of respondents now strongly support comprehensive immigration reform, including expanded protections for DACA recipients.
Despite facing these compounded economic and social challenges, Latines continue to demonstrate remarkable resolve, actively finding paths forward to secure their families’ futures. The report highlights that 44 percent of respondents are aggressively seeking better-paying jobs or pursuing career promotions, 21 percent are taking the entrepreneurial leap to start a business or side business, and 14 percent are investing in career-building education, professional certifications, or specialized trade training. These proactive efforts underscore the deep resilience of these communities as they navigate an uncertain future.
