Uniting for Immigration Reform

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Washington, DC – Consumers, workers, and advocates for care workers with Caring Across Generations, the National Council on Aging and the National Hispanic Council on Aging came to the Hill yesterday to hold a panel discussion and meet with members of Congress to push for inclusive immigration reform to stabilize and strengthen the direct care workforce. The home care industry faces a rapidly-growing labor shortage the precarious status of many current workers threatens the well-being of the consumers and employers who rely on them

Care consumers, advocates, workers, people of faith, and coalition members with the Caring Across Generations campaign came together for the day, calling on Congress to ensure that low-wage domestic and home care workers are included in any proposed road to citizenship.

“Immigrants are already embedded in the fabric of our families and nation. As mothers, caregivers, and workers, immigrants deserve the opportunity to come out of the shadows and help build the economy on equal ground with all other American workers,” says Sarita Gupta, co-director of Caring Across Generations and director of Jobs with Justice and American Rights at Work.

The need for long-term care and support service needs are projected to grow to 27 care consumers by 2050, with more than 70% of individuals aged 65 or older requiring some for of long-term services and supports. The current direct care workforce numbers approximately 3 million workers, leaving a huge gap between the services that are needed and the workforce currently available to deliver those services.