Florida's immigration crackdown, in lockstep with the federal government, has eroded the financial, physical and emotional well-being of immigrants and their children, research from the University of South Florida finds.

Why it matters: The report — which draws from 52 interviews this year with mixed-status families in Central Florida — shows how state and federal efforts to curb undocumented immigration have upended lives.

• The effects of these policies are far-reaching and have impacted not only undocumented immigrants but also permanent residents and citizens, researchers found.

Driving the news: Researchers had already observed the psychological toll and "spillover" effects of the state's heightened immigration enforcement in 2023, and Florida was only getting started.

• This year, Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Legislature have convened special sessions to ramp up immigration enforcement, passed bills that force counties and cities into compliance, and erected detention facilities.
• The result: Families have stopped attending church out of fear of deportation, young adults have forgone college, and children are experiencing anxiety, appetite problems and sleep disturbances.

The other side: The DeSantis administration did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

What they're saying: "We thought the worst had already passed," an unidentified immigrant who has lived in the U.S. for 30 years told researchers. "We never expected this situation."

• "We are really being hunted," she went on. "Because now it's not just ICE, it's everyone, everyone. The highway patrol, the local police, the agricultural police, all the agencies are doing the same thing."

The big picture: Florida is home to 1.2 million undocumented immigrants; 89,000 of whom reside in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, according to estimates from the Migration Policy Institute.

Zoom in: Immigrants told researchers that they've abandoned construction and agricultural work in favor of lower-paying, "potentially exploitative" jobs closer to their homes.

• Many say they've experienced insomnia, appetite loss, fatigue and anxiety, symptoms they directly linked to enforcement news, social media videos of arrests and local detentions, per the report.
• Their children, some of whom are U.S. citizens, have assumed more responsibilities, such as driving their parents to work.

Between the lines: Researchers worked with a smaller sample for this report than in the past and shifted from surveys to in-depth, hours-long interviews.

• "When you have quantitative data [from a survey], you can identify patterns and trends," Elizabeth Aranda, director of USF's Im/migrant Well-being Research Center, tells Axios.
• "What we can't identify is the experience of what the pattern suggests," she added. So, this time around, "we spent on average one to three hours with participants, just talking to them and learning about their lives."

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Aesthetics next year will draw inspiration from the '80s, aliens and circus, according to Tuesday's Pinterest Predicts 2026 report.

Why it matters: Users' search interest can forecast changes in retail and consumer behavior.

• "Pinterest is a uniquely visual platform, so our trend analysis goes beyond search queries," the report said. "We look at the complete picture—the colors, aesthetics and styles people are drawn to."
• The company tracked increases in searches from September 2024 to August 2025.

By the numbers: Pinterest's trend predictions have been 88% accurate over the past six years, the company said.

• 67% of the 2026 trends are driven by Gen Z.

Delve into the predictions:

Afrohemian, Funhaus and Neodeco homes

Afrohemian: Searches for "afrobohemian home decor" increased 220% from September 2024 to August 2025.

• This could include textiles, wall art, baskets and natural fiber rugs.

Funhaus: Boomers and millennials will prompt a rise in circus-inspired home decor.

• "Vintage circus aesthetic" has seen a 70% rise in interest, "circus nursery" was up 50% and "circus interior" rose 130%.

Neodeco: Art deco is modernizing. The retro vibe is getting shiny, sleek twists.

• Searches for pendant lamps, antique bar carts, brass aesthetic and leather banquette point to this trend, per Pinterest.

Glamour

Opulence will influence fashion, beauty and celebrations in 2026. Several related searches increased significantly:

• "80s luxury" up 225%.
• "Midnight masquerade" up 95%.
• "Dark romantic makeup" up 160%.
• "Eccentric makeup" up 100%.
• "Avant garde makeup editorial" up 270%.
• "Niche perfume collection" up 500%.
• "Alien inspired makeup" up 140%.

Writing and looking like a writer

Hobbying is going offline with a "letter writing renaissance" next year, per Pinterest.

• Searches for "snail mail gifts" rose 110% and "penpal ideas" rose 90%.

"Poetcore" is expected to surge with a 175% increase in "the poet aesthetic."

Keep reading

🗳️ The DeSantis administration diverted $35 million in taxpayer funds intended for needy Floridians, including some children, to defeat two referenda on last year's ballot. (Tampa Bay Times)

• Lawmakers told the Times that doing so may have skirted state law.

🥶 Citrus County opened its cold-weather shelters yesterday to protect unhoused residents as temperatures fell below 40 degrees. (Tampa Bay 28)

👋 Hey, Yacob here. I spent most of my money this year on tuition and a wedding. Neither would make a good gift, unless the recipient happens to be in school and engaged.

• I didn't buy the best thing I got this year, though I did pick it out. It was a gift from my wedding registry: a Roomba from Maya's aunt and uncle, Sheila and Steve Lanier.

Between the lines: Maya and I filled out our registry piecemeal, loading it with practical gifts and the occasional appliance we would not have bought ourselves. Our families and friends outdid themselves.

• We received all but 10 of the nearly 200 items we listed on Amazon.
• And while it is hard to pick a favorite — we love the bougie magazine rack you got us, Kathryn — no one works harder to keep our apartment clean than our $349.99 Roomba.

Details: It's controlled via iPhone app, vacuums every corner and then some, and harasses our cat, Choopy, who loves to make a mess of her litter.

• Roomba doesn't replace sweeping, but it makes it much easier.

If you're interested: You can find it here.

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