A comprehensive new study reveals that soaring living costs and intensifying immigration enforcement are forcing Latino families across the United States into difficult, potentially long-term compromises.
The warning is a central takeaway from the “National Latino Family Report 2026,” released jointly by AP-OD, UnidosUS, and BSP Research. Drawing primarily from households in high-population states such as Texas, California, and New Mexico, the report captures a widespread and increasingly urgent reality: while the Latino community continues to serve as an indispensable engine of the American economy, its members are facing compounding financial strains alongside a disproportionate and growing fear of deportations nationwide.
The findings paint a stark picture of economic precarity despite immense contributions to the national workforce. In 2025 alone, the Latino community drove more than $4 trillion in economic output and labor force participation. Yet, according to the survey of 1,300 Latino parents and primary caregivers with young children, 78 percent of respondents describe their current living conditions as “only fair or poor.”
When asked to look ahead and define their legislative priorities for Congress and the White House, the surveyed parents placed immigration reform at the very top of the agenda, cited by 42 percent of participants. This was closely followed by concerns over 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.
For millions of households, these priorities are rooted in daily struggles to make ends meet. If everyday essentials like groceries, health insurance premiums, or childcare feel increasingly out of reach, the survey suggests millions of families are sharing that exact burden. Nearly half of the respondents—49 percent—reported that their overall financial situation had deteriorated over the course of the past year.
To bridge the gap and cover basic monthly expenses, families are turning to precarious financial measures. The report shows that 40 percent of respondents have had to borrow money from friends or family members, 29 percent have relied on credit cards to absorb shortfalls, 21 percent have been forced to draw down what little savings they had managed to accumulate, and 23 percent have resorted to selling personal belongings.
These mounting pressures amplify widespread public demands for meaningful policy action targeting the broader economy, persistent living costs—including the escalating burden of childcare—and accessible health care. Across the board, survey participants emphasized that wages are simply failing to keep pace with the realities of the work they perform.
Compounding these economic anxieties is an equally pressing crisis surrounding immigration policy and enforcement. The report highlights alarming trends regarding the separation of mixed-status families. According to the survey data, mothers who are parents of U.S. citizens have been subjected to deportation at four times the rate recorded under the administration of President Biden. Furthermore, approximately 23 percent of respondents reported that a friend or family member had been detained or deported within the past year alone.
The ripple effects of aggressive enforcement strategies and the looming prospect of mass deportations under President Trump have created an atmosphere of profound fear. This climate of apprehension is altering daily routines and forcing parents to make choices that directly impact their children’s welfare. To minimize the perceived risk of encounters with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, significant portions of the Latino community have altered their normal behaviors.
The survey reveals that 35 percent of Latino families with children have avoided taking their kids to school out of fear of ICE raids. Additionally, 24 percent stated they avoid contacting or talking to local law enforcement when facing emergencies or crimes, 21 percent have chosen not to sign up for public benefits and assistance programs for which they may be eligible, and 16 percent have avoided visiting doctors or seeking necessary medical care. Driven by these escalating anxieties and the disruptions to community stability, 75 percent of survey respondents now express firm support for comprehensive immigration reform, including expanded protections under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
Despite the heavy toll exacted by these economic and political headwinds, the report emphasizes the remarkable resilience demonstrated by Latino communities as they seek out constructive pathways forward. Rather than succumbing entirely to systemic barriers, individuals are actively investing in their professional futures and economic mobility.
The data shows that 44 percent of respondents are actively seeking better-paying jobs, promotions, or alternative employment to boost their household incomes. Another 21 percent are working to establish their own independent businesses or side ventures, while 14 percent are pursuing career-building educational programs, professional certifications, or trade training to enhance their marketability. These proactive efforts underscore the enduring determination of Latino families to secure a stable and prosperous future against a backdrop of ongoing uncertainty.
