How Trump’s Immigration Policies Threaten America’s Home Health Workforce: What You Need to Know

President Donald Trump’s immigration policies are causing concern in the home health care sector. This industry is one of the fastest-growing in the U.S., relying heavily on immigrant workers. Currently, these workers make up over 40% of home health aides and nearly 30% of personal care jobs. As America ages, the demand for caregivers is set to rise, making this reliance even more critical.

Experts worry that changes in immigration policy will lead to many caregivers losing their jobs. Jeanne Batalova, a senior analyst at the Migration Policy Institute, notes that the industry was already struggling to keep workers. If many see their work permits revoked, the impact will be felt quickly, particularly in some cities.

A senior living community has reported losing six immigrant employees since March. The executive director mentioned that about 5% to 10% of their staff work with temporary permits. The departures have caused anxiety among residents and brought disruptions in service. If the facility has to let go of all employees with temporary permits, they might have to limit services or stop admitting new residents.

Katie Smith Sloan, CEO of LeadingAge, which advocates for aging services, confirms that some organizations are warning employees that they could soon lose their jobs if permits are canceled. The Department of Homeland Security recently announced that over half a million people from countries like Cuba, Haiti, and Venezuela may have their legal status terminated.

Interestingly, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the number of home health aides will grow by 21% over the next decade. However, the job has challenges. Positions are low-paying and physically demanding, with aides earning about $34,990 per year—half the average wage across U.S. occupations. Many caregivers leave their jobs within a year due to these conditions.

New York, which employs the most home health aides, faces an uphill battle to meet increasing demands. Bill Hammond from the Empire Center for Public Policy explains that the labor shortage is driven by high demand. Surprisingly, more home health aides exist than fast-food and retail workers combined.

To combat the shortage, some states are trying new strategies, like compensating family members to provide care. Still, immigration has been vital in filling gaps in this workforce. Recently, Trump acknowledged that various sectors, including agriculture and hospitality, are experiencing difficulties due to immigration policy changes.

From 2018 to 2023, there was a 24% increase in immigrant home health aides, a rate three times that of the overall immigrant workforce. One such employee, Parmah Njoh, moved from Cameroon in 2019. He emphasizes the vital role caregivers play in the lives of elderly people, stating, “Without us, I don’t think they’re going to do well.”

The aging population poses an enormous challenge. The Census Bureau estimates that the number of individuals aged 65 and older will increase by about 8 million by the end of the decade, reaching over 100 million by 2075. While not all will require specialized care, many individuals with disabilities will need support.

Cassandra Zimmer-Wong, an immigration policy analyst, warns that the existing shortage of care workers combined with unattractive pay creates a precarious situation. “People want to age at home, and there’s demand for home health care, but we don’t have enough supply,” she says.

The intersection of immigration policy and the growing demand for home health care will shape the future of this essential industry. As policymakers consider these changes, the discussion around supporting both workers and those in need of care continues. For more information about home health care trends, you can visit the Migration Policy Institute’s findings.



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immigration crackdown, home health aides, workforce shortage, personal care aides, demand for care services