A nursing home bed
Federal immigration restrictions could exacerbate a growing staffing shortage at U.S., specifically in nursing homes, according to a JAMA Network report.
“The Trump administration’s plans to deport undocumented immigrants and some with temporary protected status -- which allows some migrants from countries with unsafe conditions to live and work in the United States -- and increase legal barriers even for skilled immigrants could worsen workforce shortages,” the report said.
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How serious is the shortage?
- Nearly half of U.S. nursing homes report limiting admissions because of staffing shortages.
- Only 19% currently meet the minimum staffing levels mandated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services by 2029.
- Shortages of nurses and other personnel caused two-thirds of hospitals to operate below full capacity in 2023.
More than three-quarters of noncitizen physicians worked in hospitals, where they accounted for 9% of all doctors. A total of 148,445 noncitizens worked as registered nurses (99 of them in hospitals), and 443,958 worked as nursing aides or assistants.
“More than one million noncitizen immigrants (one-third of them undocumented) work in health care in the United States,” the report said. “Their ranks include skilled personnel who would be difficult to replace, especially if legal immigration is further restricted. Many health care workers may be removed if President Trump implements plans to deport undocumented immigrants and those losing TPS status.”
A (currently stayed) court ruling ending Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals could affect additional personnel, including some physicians and nurses. Deportations could especially compromise long-term care, where immigrants play a large role. The resulting shortages could spread through emergency departments and hospitals, leading to the inability to discharge patients and tying up nurses and other staff.
“Study findings suggest that deportations of immigrant workers and immigration restrictions may affect the health care of all people in the United States,” the report concluded.
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Alan Goforth
Alan Goforth is a freelance writer in suburban Kansas City. In addition to freelancing for several publications, he has written a dozen books about sports and other topics.
