President Trump has proposed suspending deportations for immigrant workers in hotels, agriculture, and restaurants. This decision aims to ease tensions following recent riots in Los Angeles.
This is certainly a relief for countless dedicated individuals. However, it overlooks another crucial sector—healthcare—where many immigrant workers still face insecurity.
Currently, over 20% of practicing doctors in the U.S. were born abroad. This number has risen significantly, up 30% since 2004.
It’s not surprising that many physicians trained overseas are from marginalized communities. Those who serve rural and underserved areas often struggle to provide quality care. While some are U.S. citizens who went to foreign medical schools, a significant portion hails from other countries.
A report from the American Immigration Council highlights that more than a third of doctors in areas with high poverty levels have received their training outside the U.S., especially in regions where the majority of the population is non-white. In areas where the average income is below $15,000, this figure rises to over 40%.
Proposed Medicaid cuts could exacerbate barriers to healthcare and lead to further closures of rural hospitals.
The reliance on immigrant doctors in underserved communities is, as Selma Hedland from Boston University points out, partly due to an aging population in the U.S.
Hedland also notes that many U.S.-born doctors may be hesitant to work in poorer or rural areas, preferring fields outside of primary care.
She firmly believes that immigration is vital to the operation of hospitals and clinics nationwide.
Unfortunately, this environment makes foreign-born doctors question their choices. A federal visa is necessary to work and live in the U.S., but there’s a growing sense that such visas can be used against them, threatening their ability to provide essential care.
The ongoing immigration discourse is raising doubts among foreign-born doctors already in the U.S. and those considering moving here. If immigrant status becomes a contentious issue, can they feel safe in their practice? When U.S. authorities issue signals that visas can be canceled at any time, it poses the question: Would a foreign doctor want to move their family to a place that seems unwelcoming?
The implications extend beyond just physicians; immigration forms a significant part of the healthcare support workforce.
Nearly 30% of direct care workers in the U.S. are immigrants. Furthermore, over 16% of nursing staff are also foreign-born. By 2023, more than 800,000 individuals were employed in these roles, with around 500,000 being naturalized citizens and over 300,000 non-citizens.
This immigration also includes a large portion of the home care workforce—about one in three. Over 20% of nursing facility staff and nearly a quarter of those in residential care come from abroad.
These workers are crucial in caring for the elderly, supporting individuals with disabilities, and managing crowded hospitals. As our population expands, the demand for such professionals is only going to increase.
Today, the 75 million baby boomers in America will soon require long-term care services. Without the contributions of immigrants, we can’t adequately meet this growing need.
Our immigration system is in disarray. For those already in the U.S. unlawfully and those wanting to enter, we must establish a sustainable, respectable path forward. Immigrants who are essential in providing healthcare deserve to know they are welcomed and valued.
It’s possible to ensure the stability of the U.S. healthcare system, which heavily relies on immigrant labor, while pursuing responsible immigration reform. If there’s political will, it’s achievable.
However, if stringent immigration policies send signals that skilled doctors and caregivers are unwelcome, it won’t present a viable opportunity.
We need to appreciate the vital role that immigrants play in public health and actively encourage more individuals to join this crucial workforce.
