As the United States continues to debate immigration, citizenship and what it means to belong, Emmy Award-winning journalist Enrique Acevedo is turning his attention to a community that has become increasingly central to the American story.
Acevedo’s new book, ESSENTIAL: Being Latino and Indispensable in America, will be published by Harper on October 13, 2026. Priced at $32, the book combines reporting, personal reflection and history to examine the experiences of Latinos in the United States and their influence on the country’s future.
Nearly one in five Americans is Latino, yet Acevedo argues that the community is often portrayed through overly simplified narratives, particularly when discussions focus on immigration. ESSENTIAL seeks to present a broader picture, exploring identity, family, work, citizenship, political participation and the long history of Latino communities in the United States.
Acevedo challenges the idea that Latinos are newcomers to the American experience. The book traces Latino history from Indigenous roots and Spanish settlement through civil rights movements and contemporary America, arguing that Latino communities have been helping shape the nation for centuries.
The book also examines the role of Latino workers in industries that Americans depend on every day. Latinos make up a significant portion of the workforce in agriculture, food manufacturing, childcare, nursing and other industries considered essential. Acevedo explores the tension between the country’s reliance on that labor and the struggles many workers face for recognition, dignity and belonging.
Puerto Rico is another focus. Acevedo examines the island’s complicated relationship with the United States, including debates surrounding statehood, independence and citizenship, while considering what the unresolved “Puerto Rico question” reveals about American identity.
Politics also figures prominently in the book. As Latino voters become an increasingly influential part of the electorate, Acevedo looks beyond broad assumptions about the “Latino vote” to explore the diversity of political opinions, experiences and priorities within the community.
Another section, Juntos En La Lucha, focuses on the human consequences of deportation, detention and family separation. Through individual stories, Acevedo examines the resilience of people attempting to preserve their families and dignity amid difficult circumstances.
Acevedo brings extensive journalism experience to the project. He is the Emmy Award-winning anchor of En Punto, the flagship newscast of TelevisaUnivision | N+. He previously worked as a CBS News correspondent, reporting for programs including 60 Minutes, CBS Sunday Morning, CBS Evening News and CBS Mornings.
He has also become a prominent advocate for media literacy and efforts to combat misinformation.
Part memoir and part examination of American history, ESSENTIAL arrives at a moment when questions about identity and belonging remain at the center of the national conversation. Acevedo’s central argument is that the Latino story isn’t separate from the American story — it is an essential part of it.