Immigration Nerds Explores the Care Crisis: A Deep Dive into Immigration Solutions for America's Aging Workforce

In this episode of Immigration Nerds, titled "Immigration Solutions for America’s Care Workforce Crisis", host Lauren Clarke sits down with Amanda Bergson-Shilcock, Senior Fellow at the National Skills Coalition, to unpack one of the most urgent labor issues facing the country: the growing care workforce gap.

As PERM professionals, it’s critical to understand not only how immigration intersects with the broader workforce but also how current U.S. policy—and its limitations—are affecting employers in care-related fields. From green card backlogs to credentialing challenges, this episode provides real insight into how immigration reform could help close the gap in direct care jobs and how immigrant workers already play a crucial role in this essential industry.

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Quote Highlight

“Immigrants comprise about 1 out of every 4 direct care workers—and 1 out of every 3 home care workers.” — Amanda Bergson-Shilcock, National Skills Coalition

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1. The Demand-Supply Imbalance in the Care Economy

The U.S. will see 9 million job openings in direct care roles over the next decade. Meanwhile, demographic shifts show a rapidly aging population with those over 85 nearly tripling by 2060. Immigration is not just a helpful solution; it's a necessary one. This trend underscores the growing demand among employers who will need to sponsor foreign-born care workers to meet labor needs.

2. Immigration Pathways Are Misaligned with Care Industry Needs

Current immigration frameworks disproportionately support tech and finance sectors, not the care economy. Jobs like home health aides, childcare workers, and nursing assistants often fall through the cracks of U.S. visa categories, despite being in critical demand.

This misalignment creates opportunities for advocacy, especially through employer-sponsored green cards via the PERM process. Employers struggling to find qualified U.S. workers can and should look to immigration-based hiring strategies.

3. Credential Recognition Is a Bottleneck

Many immigrants already have the experience and training needed for care jobs—but their foreign credentials often go unrecognized. Amanda discusses innovative state-led solutions that help fast-track licensing, from Minnesota’s additional medical residency slots to Wisconsin’s caregiver training programs.

This indicates a growing trend where state-level initiatives can complement federal immigration programs like PERM by helping employers verify and utilize foreign talent more efficiently.

4. Public-Private Partnerships Are a Game-Changer

Employers, states, and nonprofit organizations are creating sector-specific workforce pipelines. These partnerships are building training and reskilling programs for both immigrants and U.S.-born workers, highlighting the critical role of collaboration.

5. The Case for Immigration as a Win-Win

This episode emphasized what every immigration attorney and employer knows: immigrants aren’t taking jobs—they’re creating solutions. In fact, robust immigrant populations correlate with more job creation across the board, particularly in care-related sectors. Smart immigration policy, combined with workforce development, strengthens the entire U.S. economy.

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This Episode Is a Must-Listen

For PERM professionals, HR leaders, and immigration attorneys, this episode offers more than policy insights—it presents a roadmap for where the care economy and immigration systems must meet. It challenges employers to reframe care work as not only essential but also strategically viable for foreign labor sponsorship. Understanding these intersections today means being better prepared for tomorrow’s workforce demands.

Subscribe to the Immigration Nerds podcast for fresh, timely insights on immigration’s real-world impact on American businesses. And if you're an employer seeking to hire foreign workers for essential roles, consider how the PERM process can be part of the long-term solution.