A survey of thousands of working-class Latino voters across Miami-Dade paints a stark picture of an "American Dream increasingly out of reach," driven by runaway living expenses, gutted safety nets, and severe immigration enforcement.
The report, titled “SOMOS MIAMI” and produced by labor unions SEIU 32BJ and UNITE HERE Local 355 draws on 2,381 completed surveys gathered after canvassers knocked on the doors of more than 31,000 residents between March and June. It was released Saturday by the union groups during a forum with union members in Miami.
Among the key findings of the survey:
— More than three-quarters of respondents (78%) believe national economic conditions are worsening. Only 5% think they are improving.
— Almost one-third dream of getting out of debt and almost a quarter of buying their own homes.
— An overwhelming majority said immigration is important to them. Asked how they feel about what is happening with immigration in the U.S. now, 58% responded “disappointed” and 19% “angry.”
The survey results come on the heels of federal government data from released last month that shows the Miami metropolitan area as the second-most expensive in the nation, only behind San Francisco. The data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis show Miami is more costly than Los Angeles and New York.
The Miami Herald, a WLRN news partner, reported that a single adult in Miami-Dade needs to make at least $47,784 a year just to cover the basics. A family of four needs $114,480. It reported taht more than half of Miami-Dade households — 56% — live paycheck to paycheck.
The "Somos Miami" survey listed grocery expenses, housing, utilities and health care costs as the expenses causing families the most financial strain.
“The first thing we heard on the doors was how high prices have become in Miami, including increases in rent,” Flor Ramirez, a UNITE HERE Local 355 member and Miami International Airport worker, said in a statement released with survey results. “People mentioned how they used to be able to fill shopping carts at the grocery store and now they are barely able to purchase enough to survive week to week.”
Adding to the economic pressure, according to survey results, is widespread anxiety over President Trump’s aggressive deportation agenda in a county in which 54% of residents are foreign-born. Seventy-eight percent of respondents called immigration a top-priority issue, with 58% describing their reaction to current enforcement as “disappointed” and 19% as “angry.”
Martha Cabrera, a union canvasser, noted deep frustration among Cubans, the largest immigrant group in Miami-Dade.
“I heard from many other Cubans on the doors... who feel betrayed with what they are seeing happen with immigration enforcement right now,” Cabrera said. “They never imagined the United States would be this way — they came here looking for the American Dream, for liberty... This is not what people think living in this free, great country should be like.”
A large majority of respondents support protecting Medicare and Medicaid (98%), favor rent control measures (82%, and back higher taxes on millionaires (67%).
“The people I spoke with understand the contributions immigrants make and how much they have helped build South Florida,” noted Clarissa Perez, a janitor and SEIU 32BJ member. “They don’t want division or hatred. They want elected leaders to focus on policies that help all families prosper.”
