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 from the newly released "National Latino Family Report 2026," a comprehensive study conducted by AP-OD, UnidosUS, and BSP Research that focuses heavily on key states including Texas, California, and New Mexico. The findings capture a familiar and escalating reality across the country: Latine families are facing deepening financial hardships while simultaneously being disproportionately affected by increased immigration enforcement and deportations nationwide.
Despite driving over $4 trillion in economic output within the U.S. workforce in 2025, a staggering 78 percent of the Latine community reports experiencing only fair or poor living conditions. The report, which surveyed 1,300 Latine parents and primary caregivers with young children, paints a vivid picture of a demographic that serves as a vital engine for the American economy yet struggles profoundly to stay afloat. When asked about their top priorities for Congress and the president, respondents highlighted a clear hierarchy of urgent concerns, led by immigration reform at 42 percent, 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.
For millions of households, the daily cost of survival has become an uphill battle. If basic necessities like groceries, health insurance, or childcare feel increasingly out of reach, families are far from alone in their struggle. Nearly half of all survey respondents, or 49 percent, reported that their personal financial situation had actually worsened over the course of the past year. To cover fundamental expenses and keep their households running, families have been forced to resort to desperate financial measures. To make ends meet, 40 percent of respondents borrowed money from friends or family members, 29 percent relied on credit cards, 21 percent were forced to draw down what little savings they had managed to accumulate, and 23 percent sold personal belongings. These mounting economic pressures underscore widespread calls for immediate action on the broader economy, soaring living costs—including the crushing expense of childcare—and accessible health care. Across the board, wages simply are not keeping pace with the strenuous work people do every day.
Alongside severe economic anxieties, immigration policy and enforcement have emerged as deeply pressing concerns that affect both the financial stability and the psychological well-being of Latine households. The survey reveals alarming trends on the ground, noting that mothers of U.S. citizens have been deported at four times the rate seen under the previous administration led by President Biden. Furthermore, about 23 percent of respondents reported that friends or family members had been detained or deported within the past year alone. The prevailing fear surrounding ongoing mass deportation plans and Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids has cast a long shadow over daily life, leading Latine families with children to alter their routines in profound ways.
Out of a deep-seated fear of enforcement actions, families are actively avoiding essential public spaces and services. Specifically, 35 percent of respondents said they avoid taking their children to school, 24 percent avoid talking to the police even when assistance might be needed, 21 percent avoid signing up for public benefits and assistance programs to which they may be legally entitled, and 16 percent avoid visiting doctors for necessary medical care. As a direct result of these compounding pressures and systemic fears, 75 percent of survey respondents now express strong support for comprehensive immigration reform, including the expansion and permanent protection of DACA programs.
Despite these formidable challenges and an atmosphere of intense economic and social uncertainty, members of the Latine community continue to demonstrate remarkable resolve by finding new paths forward. Rather than succumbing to despair, individuals and families are actively taking matters into their own hands to secure a better future. According to the report, 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 venture, and 14 percent are investing their time and resources into career-building education, professional certifications, or specialized trade training. These proactive efforts highlight the deep-seated resilience of communities that continue to drive the American economy forward while navigating an unpredictable and challenging future.
