“We feel completely beat up right now”

Fortune had an article about immigration and labor shortages in nursing homes. Nursing homes across the United States are facing an escalating staffing crisis, largely driven by recent changes in immigration policy. Immigrant workers make up a substantial portion, up to 30%, of the long-term care workforce, filling essential roles such as nursing assistants, aides, maintenance staff, and kitchen workers.

However, the rollback of Temporary Protected Status (TPS), restrictions on humanitarian parole, and broader immigration crackdowns under former President Trump have significantly reduced the number of available immigrant workers. These policy changes have already led to tangible consequences. In facilities across states like Georgia and Florida, dozens of immigrant workers have either been forced to leave or have quit out of fear of deportation.

For example, one nursing home in Atlanta lost eight staff members in a short span, while a facility in Boca Raton reported the departure of ten workers and is preparing for as many as 30 more to leave. Some facilities have had to close entire wings despite having residents in need of care, simply because they can no longer staff them. Despite offering higher wages, bonuses, and other incentives, nursing homes are struggling to attract American-born workers.

Many of these roles are physically demanding and pay an average of $16.70 per hour wages which often aren’t enough to fill the gap left by departing immigrant staff. As a result, the overall capacity of long-term care providers is shrinking just as the nation’s aging population continues to grow. The industry had only begun to recover from COVID-19-related disruptions when this renewed workforce shortage struck.

Experts warn that without a reliable and steady source of caregiving labor, especially from immigrant communities, the nation’s elder care infrastructure is at serious risk. Continued staff losses may lead to reduced services, facility closures, and a growing inability to meet the care needs of older adults across the country.

Arrests by U.S. immigration agents dropped by nearly 20% in July.