Senior living and care organizations reliant on immigrant labor are confronting significant challenges as approximately 350,000 Haitians lose their Temporary Protected Status (TPS) today. This situation has been described as “heartache” by industry leaders struggling to maintain essential staffing levels.
Last week, a three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit denied the government’s request to terminate TPS, extending the deadline to Monday. Employment authorizations linked to TPS for eligible Haitians are set to expire on July 27, pending further court decisions and guidance from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
This ruling follows the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision in Marin v. Doe, which permitted the Department of Homeland Security to move forward with TPS termination for Haiti and other designated countries, raising concerns across various sectors.
Rob Liebreich, president and CEO of Goodwin Living, has been vocal about the implications of this decision. He expressed that the loss goes beyond continuity of care; it will also affect the employment of dedicated individuals vital to operations. “We will lose some really good people who were essential to our operations and support,” he cautioned.
While the potential loss of Haitian immigrants has long been anticipated, the industry faces an ongoing challenge: the persistent shortage of qualified professionals to care for older adults. Liebreich remarked, “The equations are getting harder and harder to solve,” highlighting the widening gap between available resources and the demand for caregiving services.
In addition to the end of TPS for Haitians, Liebreich pointed out delays in work permits for asylum seekers as another serious challenge. These compounding issues could further strain an already vulnerable workforce.
A bill aimed at extending TPS protections for Haitians was introduced in both the House and Senate last month but was ultimately blocked, underscoring the legislative hurdles that advocates face in securing immigrant rights.
Impact of Immigrant Workforce Changes
Senior living advocates warn that the end of TPS and other related immigration policy shifts are precipitating the abrupt departure of experienced staff members, including certified nursing assistants, nurses, meal aides, and housekeepers in various care settings. This sudden loss threatens the quality of care provided in assisted living, memory care, and nursing homes.
According to the American Business Immigration Coalition, there are approximately 1.3 million TPS holders in the United States, valid immigrants who entered the country through lawful channels, accounting for about 15% of the nation’s non-national health care workforce. More than 20% of Haitian immigrants are employed in health care, significantly contributing to the economy, according to a report from policy group FWD.us.
Data from the Kaiser Family Foundation indicates that immigrants represent 24% of workers in residential care facilities, 21% in nursing homes, and between 32% to 40% in home care services. As demand for these services escalates, senior living organizations report that a shrinking labor pool will lead to increased operational costs, higher case loads, and greater burnout for the remaining staff.
Liebreich noted that as the consequences of shrinking immigration become increasingly evident, particularly for older adults, there will be an urgent need to address these issues comprehensively. “In a few years, the lack of available care will become so pronounced that it will be impossible to ignore,” he stated.
Strategies for Senior Living Employers
In light of the anticipated decline in immigrant labor, organizations are proactively implementing strategies to attract and retain workers. These measures include increasing wages and benefits, as well as training programs aimed at preparing individuals from other sectors to join the senior care workforce.
Goodwin Living has introduced paid internships for high school and college students, providing them with valuable exposure to the field and alleviating any hesitations about working with older adults. “We cannot sit idly by and watch the workforce shrink,” Liebreich emphasized, noting that the challenge of finding qualified staff spans all major market sectors.
For employers seeking to expand, considerations include evaluating the local talent pool and possibly developing simplified care models that forgo certain complexities. However, Liebreich cautioned that this approach could increase pressures on emergency services by limiting available care options for older adults.
Argentum has released guidelines for senior housing providers in light of the TPS termination. Employers must stay informed on any changes to TPS-related work authorizations that may affect their staffing. Following the usual I-9 reverification procedures and remaining alert to updates from DHS and USCIS will be crucial as the situation evolves.
