A reality check on immigration policy

In the satirical 2004 film A Day Without a Mexican, all Latinos in California suddenly disappear. This upends personal relationships, cultural life and the economy. But a day without immigrants is no longer imaginary. It’s becoming reality in Trump’s America. Mass deportations and legal immigration restrictions are revealing how much we rely on immigrants.

Trump’s immigration policies will have a major impact on the labor market — especially on sectors that rely heavily on immigrant labor. This isn’t just low-skilled crop harvesters or high-skilled occupations like medicine and technology. It’s also social services, where immigrants are a significant share of the workforce. Immigrants are home health aides, personal care assistants, childcare and eldercare providers and domestic workers. It’s a long list. Immigrants also support disabled individuals like my adult son, who lives in a group home and requires 24/7 supervision. Immigrants make up 28% of the disability care workforce, and they stay in caregiving jobs longer than their American-born colleagues. This employment stability benefits both organizations and the people they serve.

About 90% of disability agencies are experiencing critical labor shortages. 70% are turning away new clients, and 39% have discontinued programs. Illinois nursing homes are among the worst in the U.S. in terms of staffing. Limiting immigrant workers without having domestic replacements will further destabilize an already-fragile workforce and reduce quality of care for people needing support. It’s our most vulnerable neighbors — like my son — who’ll pay the price.

Immigrant caregivers staff disability agencies, nursing homes and in-home care. But we’re headed for a day without them. That’s a reality check. America can’t function, let alone prosper, without immigrants. Let’s speak up for them. And let’s demand legal immigration pathways for immigrant care workers. Without them, the consequences are dire.

James B. Gould

Carpentersville