Julia, a dedicated homecare worker, begins her day at 3:30 a.m., providing essential care to her clients for over 10 hours. Despite her love for the job, she fears President Trump’s immigration policies may jeopardize her ability to continue working. Julia, like many immigrants, lacks a clear path to citizenship and faces uncertainty as the administration targets individuals with legal but precarious statuses.

The caregiver industry heavily relies on foreign-born workers like Julia to meet the increasing demand for care, particularly with the aging population in the U.S. Without immigrants, the already high cost of care for seniors and individuals with disabilities would escalate significantly. Research shows that increased immigration is linked to higher staffing levels in nursing homes and improved patient outcomes.

Lawmakers have introduced a bill to provide a legal pathway to citizenship for DACA recipients and current TPS holders, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the contributions of hardworking immigrants to the economy and society. However, the bill’s passage faces challenges in Congress, with potential implications for the future of the caregiver industry and the well-being of those in need of care.

The stories of Julia and nursing assistant Jaz Vergara highlight the personal toll of uncertain legal status on individuals who have called the U.S. home for years. As debates on immigration reform continue, the fate of immigrants like Julia and Jaz, as well as the stability of the caregiver industry, hang in the balance.