Economy, Not Immigration, Tops Latino Voter Concerns Ahead of 2026, New Poll Finds

A new national survey has found that economic pressures — not immigration — are shaping Latino political attitudes heading into the 2026 midterms.

The Unidos Bipartisan Poll of 3,000 registered Latino voters, obtained by CBS News, showed that 53% cite cost of living and inflation as their top concern, followed by jobs and the economy (36%), housing (32%) and health care (30%). Immigration reform ranks fifth at 20%.

More than one-third of respondents say the economy has worsened over the past year, compared with 14% who say it has improved, the survey finds. Nearly two-thirds — 65% — believe President Trump and congressional Republicans are not doing enough to improve economic conditions, and half think the administration's economic policies will leave them personally worse off next year.

The sentiment is reflected in assessments of Washington: 81% say Congress is failing in its checks-and-balances role, and 62% disapprove of Republicans' leadership in Congress. 61% blame Republicans for the recent government shutdown, compared with 22% who fault Democrats.

"Hispanic voters keep stressing the need to address low wages and the rising cost of living," Clarissa Martinez de Castro, vice president of UnidosUS, told CBS News.

The poll shows 64% of Latino respondents disapprove of President Trump's job performance. That includes 13% of his 2024 supporters who say they would not vote for him again and 9% who are unsure. When asked how they would vote in House races held today, 52% favor Democratic candidates, compared with 28% for Republicans.

Nevertheless, most Latino voters say they would repeat their 2024 presidential choice; 78% of Trump supporters and 93% of Harris supporters say they would vote the same way again. According to the survey, 55% say the Democratic Party cares "a great deal" about the Latino community, compared with 29% who say the same of Republicans. One-third view the GOP as hostile to Latinos.

While immigration does not top the issue list nationally, reporting from The New York Times over the weekend suggests the topic is reshaping civic behavior in some localities. In parts of Southern California and New Jersey, recent immigration raids and the presence of federal monitors have heightened anxiety, with some voters saying enforcement actions are influencing how — and whether — they vote.

One California resident told the Times that "especially here in California, we need to speak up," citing concerns about raids and mail tampering. "A lot of Latin American folks have come here because they have seen their countries go authoritarian — their rights were slowly eroded," said Elvis Cordova of Virginia, who plans on voting Democrat locally. "Now... many are seeing shades of that happening here."