Over the holidays, many Americans reflected on the health care workers who support their families. From ICU nurses stabilizing grandparents to home health aides helping the elderly bathe safely, these professionals play crucial roles.
However, a significant portion of these workers are foreign-born. In fact, immigrants account for about 18% of the U.S. health care workforce. This includes one in four physicians and one in three home health aides. These contributions are vital, especially as the health care system faces unprecedented stress, with a rapidly aging population and increasing chronic conditions.
Experts warn that the country is projected to have a shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036. This is concerning, especially since hospitals are expected to add around 2.1 million jobs in health care in the next decade, primarily in frontline roles like nursing and personal care. Given that many of these positions are filled by immigrant workers, current immigration policies threatening their status could deepen the crisis.
Recent changes, such as increased visa fees and stricter eligibility requirements, add pressure to an already strained system. According to a 2025 report, these policies could worsen existing staffing shortages, impacting patient care. Applications for new immigrant health workers are decreasing, as recent surveys show a marked decline in new international student enrollment in health-related fields due to visa uncertainties.
If these trends continue, fewer qualified professionals will be available just as demand for care peaks. Immigrants have historically stepped in where U.S.-born workers fall short, particularly in underserved areas. For example, in Minnesota, they make up nearly one in three nursing assistants, despite only comprising 12% of the overall workforce.
When policies limit the ability to hire foreign-born workers, the effects can be felt immediately. This could mean longer wait times for appointments, particularly for specialists, and fewer aides for elderly patients, leading to risks like falls and malnutrition. These aren’t just abstract concerns; they are real issues that many communities are grappling with today.
The costs of restrictive immigration policies may not show up in financial reports, but they impact everyday lives: prolonged wait times for treatment, and unnecessary suffering for patients. Rural areas, often reliant on immigrant providers, will likely feel it the most.
Aligning immigration policy with health care needs wouldn’t solve every issue in the system, but failing to adapt escalates shortages and disrupts care. Policymakers should recognize the connection between immigration and the health care workforce to ensure that when Americans seek help, someone is there to provide it.
Bedassa Tadesse, a professor of economics at the University of Minnesota Duluth, emphasizes the importance of understanding these dynamics, especially as we navigate the challenges ahead in health care.
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