#United States #Washington, D.C. #Latino Community #UnidosUS #Economic Prosperity

UnidosUS Unveils Economic Prosperity Agenda

On March 5, 2026, UnidosUS, the largest Hispanic civil rights organization in the United States, revealed its National Economic Prosperity Agenda. This strategic initiative aims to bring together leaders from public, private, and philanthropic sectors to implement comprehensive solutions focused on economic mobility and shared prosperity for the Latino community.

According to UnidosUS, raising the federal minimum wage to $17 per hour could generate an annual economic impact of $70 billion for approximately 22 million workers, including 5 million Latinos. This change is projected to boost the national GDP by about $160 billion over the next decade.

Janet Murguía, president and CEO of UnidosUS, emphasized, "In the last year, we traveled across the country engaging with families, workers, small business owners, and community leaders, revealing an economy that is leaving too many behind. Our Economic Prosperity Agenda prioritizes those at the center of our economy, as investing in Latino prosperity is not just an option; it’s a central economic strategy that will shape America’s future."

Building Alliances for Economic Prosperity

The Economic Prosperity Agenda currently enjoys support from over 30 partner organizations, including affiliates and national institutions like the Center for Responsible Lending, the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP), and the National Urban League, among others. This collaboration is key to positioning the economic priorities of the Latino community at the forefront of conversations during the upcoming midterm elections. As a critical voting bloc in competitive districts, the challenges faced by this community directly influence national debates on economic growth, stability, and the future of the middle class.

The agenda will be officially launched during the UnidosUS Prosperity Forward Convocation in Washington D.C., on the same day, featuring around 200 leaders from various sectors, including notable congressional figures like Senator Rubén Gallego (D-AZ) and Representative Adriano Espaillat (D-NY). The primary aim is to propose concrete solutions to the pressing economic challenges faced by families across the country.

Addressing Urgent Economic Issues

With affordability emerging as a critical factor in public policy and electoral outcomes, UnidosUS leaders assert that this agenda responds to a pressing national reality. Historically, economic challenges such as high housing costs and barriers to quality employment have significantly impacted Latino families and workers, a reality that has become increasingly stark.

Rooted in nearly six decades of community work, strategic partnerships, and rigorous research, UnidosUS’s Economic Prosperity Agenda underlines the essential link between the future of America and the advancement of Latino families. This community is not only the fastest-growing segment of the workforce but also a crucial driver of national economic stability.

The leaders call upon legislators, employers, funders, and community leaders to prioritize structural solutions that open pathways to prosperity and ensure upward mobility for Latino voters.

Key Focus Areas of the Agenda

The agenda proposes practical solutions centered around four interconnected pillars:

1. Housing

Reducing racial disparities in homeownership for Latinos over the next decade could create about 2.9 million new homeowners, benefiting nearly 10 million individuals with a potential increase of over $650 billion in collective wealth.

• - Action Items

- Increase access to affordable entry-level housing for working families.
- Support first-generation homebuyers through fair credit access, down payment assistance programs, and trusted financial guidance.

2. Employment

Raising the federal minimum wage to $17 per hour could provide $70 billion annually for 22 million workers, including 5 million Latinos, while potentially increasing GP by $160 billion over the next decade.

• - Action Items

- Expand access to quality jobs through workforce training (focusing on digital skills and AI literacy) and improving working conditions.
- Strengthening worker power and voice through innovative models like co-ownership and labor representation.

3. Entrepreneurship

With Latinos making up one out of every five Americans, closing existing gaps in business ownership could have a transformative economic impact, adding $11 trillion in revenue and $2.5 trillion in wages for workers over ten years.

• - Action Items

- Expand access to equitable financing and investment tools for Latino entrepreneurs.
- Strengthen support for small businesses through mentorship programs, specialized technical assistance, and robust entrepreneurial networks.

4. Family Security

Expanding the Child Tax Credit has proven to deliver transformative economic impact by benefiting 61 million children, creating 500,000 jobs, and providing over $230 billion annually to the national GDP.

• - Action Items

- Streamline enrollment processes for health coverage, integrating accessible tax credit mechanisms for families.
- Increase financial support for new and growing families, ensuring parents can fulfill their roles without jeopardizing their livelihoods.
- Implement measures to lessen the financial burden associated with family caregiving and establishing new households.

A Call to Action

UnidosUS invites community stakeholders, including legislators, employers, and funders, to champion structural solutions that prioritize the Latino community's economic prosperity. By uniting efforts, we can ensure a more equitable and prosperous future for America as a whole. Organizations interested in joining this initiative can find further details on UnidosUS’s website.

UnidosUS remains a non-profit, bipartisan organization dedicated to advancing civil rights and advocating for the rights and well-being of the Latino community in the U.S. Since 1968, they have worked to break down social, economic, and political barriers through strategic research, advocacy, direct programs, and a network of nearly 300 affiliates throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.