Finding stable home care is already tough. New immigration policies could make it even harder.
President Trump’s immigration crackdown targets many of the same people who care for older adults, children, and people with disabilities. These include long-term U.S. residents with Temporary Protected Status, DACA recipients, and others who help fill critical roles in caregiving.
According to USA Today, 31 percent of the U.S. home care workforce is foreign-born. Without enough trained workers, families could face rising costs, declining quality, or sudden care gaps.
One expert told USA Today the crackdown could create a chilling effect on the caregiving labor market, even before deportations happen.Here are five ways to stay ahead of a potential disruption.
1. Take inventory of all your care needs
Home care isn’t just medical. It includes everything from bathing and blood pressure checks to after-school pickup and preparing meals.
Think about everyone you rely on, including part-time nannies, elder aides, or personal assistants. List out your current care support so you can spot vulnerabilities.
Even a few hours of lost help each week can disrupt your family’s routine. Identifying weak spots now helps you plan.
2. Build your backup network before a crisis hits
Don’t wait until someone quits or loses their legal status to seek help. Start identifying friends, family, neighbors, or community members who can step in if needed.
You might rotate school pickup, share elder care duties, or swap weekend help. Informal networks can ease pressure when professional support becomes scarce.
The caregiving gap could grow fast. USA Today reports that nursing homes lost 400,000 workers during the pandemic, a loss the industry is still struggling to recover from.
3. Explore both public programs and private alternatives
Check your local Area Agency on Aging for programs that offer transportation, meal delivery, or part-time home help. Cities often fund services that many families are unaware of.
Consider exploring caregiver registries and cooperatives. Some allow families to pool resources or hire pre-vetted aides directly, often at lower cost than full-service agencies.
This may be especially important if staffing agencies begin charging more. USA Today notes some agencies charge 50–60% more than directly employed staff.
4. Protect the workers your family depends on
Many caregivers are legally authorized to work, but still face risk. USA Today reports that 4.2% of nursing assistants and 6.4% of home health aides are undocumented.
If your caregiver is affected by changing immigration rules, help them connect with trusted legal or community resources. You can offer character references or assist them in renewing documents.
Keeping experienced help in place is beneficial for everyone, especially if your nanny or aide already feels like a valued member of the family.
5. Talk to your employer before
Care disruptions can significantly impact your work life. Talk to your HR department now, not after you’re forced to miss a shift or cancel a meeting.
Ask about flexible scheduling, hybrid options, or caregiver leave. With labor shortages across the care economy, many employers recognize the importance of these accommodations.
USA Today emphasizes that families may soon have to choose between income and caregiving. Planning can help avoid that tradeoff.
Plan to keep care within reach
Child care, elder support, and disability assistance all rely heavily on immigrant labor. If that workforce shrinks, families may find themselves competing for fewer caregivers at a higher cost.
You can’t control national policy, but you can control how prepared your household is. Act now to build resilience and protect those who matter most.
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