For Immediate Release: February 24, 2026
Contact: media@hispanicfederation.org
Hispanic Federation: The State of the Union Diverges from the Reality Facing Latino Families
Hispanic Federation Responds to President Trump’s 2026 State of the Union Address
Washington, D.C. – President Trump gave the annual State of the Union address, where he reviewed the past year and shared upcoming plans for his administration. Hispanic Federation’s newly released report of the 2026 State of Latino Family in the U.S. provides a snapshot of the challenges families are navigating this year. The fact sheet lists key data focused on the economy, health care, immigration, and education. Below is a response from Jessica Orozco Guttlein, Senior Vice President for Policy and Communications for Hispanic Federation:
“President Trump’s State of the Union diverged significantly from the lived reality of Latino families in the United States. He celebrated aggressive federal enforcement that has traumatized neighborhoods across the nation, aggrandized legislation that left millions without healthcare coverage, and claimed that the economy is thriving while working families suffer under the weight of rising costs. The reality is that families are experiencing something radically different from what we heard, and when the experiences of working families are ignored or omitted from the State of the Union, the words ring hollow.
The President touted his Administration’s successes for the American people, even as the government remains partially shutdown and essential TSA workers go unpaid. The President claimed to be delivering for everyday families yet, three months after the longest shutdown in U.S. history, pocketbook issues have not sufficiently been addressed. The government shutdown, problematic legislation, and regulatory changes have served to increase uncertainty for millions of families who depend on federal programs.
From the surge in healthcare costs after the expiration of Affordable Care Act subsidies to rising costs of everyday goods, families are being squeezed from every direction. This is particularly true for Latino families. Despite any claims to the contrary, last summer’s tax and spending bill (H.R.1) caused much of this financial strain when it enacted the largest Medicaid cut in history and spurred a rise in energy costs. The President’s speech made it clear that the White House does not fully understand, or does not care about, the fallout from the legislation and executive orders they have enacted.
Aggressive federal enforcement without oversight has already resulted in the detention of citizens, communities feeling less safe, and the needless loss of life. The President’s disregard for the harms caused by unrestrained federal enforcement indicates that the perils of the past will persist in the coming year if Congressional leaders do not take action.
Rather than using the State of the Union to acknowledge our shared struggle and find moments of unity, the President chose instead to employ rhetoric that divides us, placing blame on vulnerable communities, and failing to consider solutions that can have tangible beneficial impacts on people’s lives.
As the Trump administration continues to disparage and disregard our communities, Hispanic Federation calls on Congress to provide policies that reflect the dignity, contributions, and promise of our communities.”
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About Hispanic Federation
Hispanic Federation (HF) is a nonprofit membership and advocacy organization, founded in 1990, committed to empowering and advancing the Hispanic community, with a focus on low-income, marginalized, and immigrant Latine. With programs in 43 states and territories, HF’s focus areas include immigration, economic empowerment, civic engagement, disaster relief, philanthropy, education, health, and the environment. HF also maintains ongoing public education campaigns and meets the organizational development needs of its member agencies through grant-making and capacity-building assistance.
