The recent surge in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in California is raising serious concerns about the impact on the caregiver workforce, particularly for older adults who depend on these essential services. As the number of raids increases, caregivers like Mida, who has provided in-home care for an elderly woman in Los Angeles for the past five years, worry about their safety and job security.
Mida, a 56-year-old naturalized citizen originally from Mexico, expressed her fears about being targeted due to her appearance. She stated, “I fear I will be a target,” highlighting the climate of anxiety surrounding ICE actions. In her view, individuals are often judged not by their legal status but by their ethnicity, making her feel vulnerable despite her citizenship.
The ramifications of these immigration policies extend beyond personal fears. According to a coalition of 109 organizations that sent a letter to Congress on February 26, 2025, the ongoing ICE actions jeopardize the stability of the caregiver workforce. This workforce includes nearly 500,000 workers who hold legal status, and they are crucial for providing care to older adults and individuals with disabilities.
Luz Gallegos, founder and executive director of TODEC (Training Occupational Development Educating Communities), stated, “We are losing our most valuable asset in California: our workforce.” She emphasized that without a healthy immigrant workforce, the economy would suffer.
Strain on Caregiver Workforce
The need for caregivers has never been more critical. A report from the Kaiser Family Foundation indicates that about 820,000, or nearly 28 percent, of long-term caregivers for older adults in the United States are immigrants. These workers play a vital role in maintaining the well-being of seniors in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and private homes, providing support with essential daily tasks.
Despite the high demand for caregivers, the current workforce is insufficient to meet the needs of California’s aging population. By 2030, more than 10 million Californians will be aged 60 and older, with a significant portion expected to require assistance with in-home health or personal care. The California Department of Aging has not reported significant staffing issues in nursing homes tied to immigration but acknowledges the need to address future demands.
In addition to general workforce challenges, the psychological toll on caregivers is becoming increasingly apparent. Mida and others are exercising caution when running errands or accompanying clients to medical appointments, reflecting a heightened sense of vulnerability.
Impact of Immigration Raids
Data from the California Collaborative for Immigrant Justice shows that ICE detained at least 8,250 individuals in California during the first nine months of 2025. Nationally, over 70,700 people were detained in the year ending on January 25, 2026. Despite official claims that ICE targets serious criminals, nearly 75 percent of Latino detainees had no criminal record, according to research from the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs.
The presence of ICE at job sites has intensified fear within the immigrant community. Many individuals have been apprehended at workplaces, including manufacturing plants and farms. In a significant policy change in January 2025, health care facilities were removed from the list of “protected areas” exempt from ICE raids, allowing for detentions in environments where vulnerable populations receive care.
Gallegos described the emotional impact of these raids, likening the fear experienced by immigrant workers to traumatic events like natural disasters. “Everybody’s fearing for their safety,” she said, underscoring the pervasive anxiety within the community.
Funding Cuts and Future Concerns
Compounding these challenges are potential cuts to Medi-Cal, California’s version of Medicaid, which provides funding for long-term care and in-home services. Proposed annual cuts of nearly $30 billion included in H.R. 1, known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” threaten the financial stability of nursing homes and caregiver services. Past cuts have already led to nursing home closures and reduced staffing, exacerbating the challenges faced by caregivers and their patients.
The emotional and physical demands of caring for the elderly can lead to high burnout rates, particularly in a workforce that often faces low wages and limited benefits. The repeal of minimum staffing requirements by President Donald Trump in December 2025 has raised concerns among resident advocates about the quality of care in nursing homes, as staff are increasingly stretched thin.
Despite these obstacles, Mida and Gallegos remain hopeful for change. TODEC is advocating for immigration reform and a pathway to citizenship for immigrants, echoing efforts made during the Immigration Reform and Control Act in 1986. “In a world where there’s hate, there is more love than hate,” Gallegos remarked, emphasizing the community’s efforts to support one another amid adversity.
As California grapples with the implications of ICE raids and potential funding cuts, the future of the caregiver workforce hangs in the balance, impacting not only those who provide care but also the vulnerable populations who rely on their support. The urgency for comprehensive solutions has never been more critical.
