In a recent letter to top officials, including Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, leading voices in the senior living sector joined forces with the Essential Worker Immigration Coalition (EWIC) to demand policy changes that would streamline and expand legal pathways for essential workers. These include certified nursing assistants (CNAs), home health aides, and other direct care staff that are vital to maintaining the well-being of seniors in assisted living communities and nursing homes.
The coalition’s recommendations focus on modernizing existing visa programs to better reflect the realities of today’s workforce needs. Specifically, they are advocating for reforms that would:
- Improve the efficiency of temporary visa programs, such as H-2B and H-1C, making them more responsive to long-term care workforce demands
- Provide clearer pathways to permanent residency for essential workers already in the U.S.
- Extend protections and work authorization for humanitarian parolees and individuals under Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
Industry leaders argue that without these changes, the U.S. senior care system could face a crisis. According to the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), nearly 94% of nursing homes and assisted living communities are struggling to fill open positions. This shortage not only threatens the quality of care for elderly residents but also increases burnout among existing staff, worsening the problem.
The push comes at a time when immigration policy remains one of the most hotly debated topics in Washington. However, advocates believe that focusing on essential workers could offer a bipartisan entry point for progress. “This is about meeting the real and urgent needs of America’s aging population,” said one EWIC spokesperson. “Without a reliable and legal workforce pipeline, we risk failing our most vulnerable citizens.”
The call to action also highlights the contributions of immigrant workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, many of whom continued to serve in high-risk environments while facing legal uncertainty. Supporters of reform say it’s time to recognize their role not just as temporary helpers, but as foundational pillars of the U.S. healthcare infrastructure.
