Ahead of National Caregivers Day, which is celebrated on Feb. 20, it’s vital to remember that the essential work of caregivers is more than just a job – it’s a purpose. “Working in child care has been enriching and rewarding because it goes beyond the professional,” said Felicitas, an early educator. “For me, it is a commitment to the future, to the formation of human beings, and to the possibility of positively influencing their lives.”
Like Felicitas, many of the caregivers who watch over our elderly and disabled loved ones, children, and others requiring regular assistance are immigrants. “They are the quiet force holding our care system together, providing care, love, stability, and education,” the National Women’s Law Center said last year. And, the simple fact is that caregiving simply can’t happen without their skills, professionalism, and dedication.
“In 2019, 36.5% of all home health aides in the United States were immigrants, a rate that was twice their share of the U.S. workforce overall (17.1%),” the American Immigration Council said in 2023. “This includes undocumented workers, who made up an estimated 6.9% of home health aides and 4.4% of personal care aides.”
“Despite their critical role, systemic barriers make it increasingly difficult for them to remain in the field,” the National Women’s Law Center noted. “They continue to face low wages, exploitative visa programs, and a lack of legal protections—all of which threaten their ability to stay in the workforce and, in turn, jeopardize millions of people’s access to care.”
It would affect caregivers and clients like Marlene Carrasco and Carmen Garcia, who were profiled by the Arizona Republic in December 2023. The piece highlighted how Ms. Carrasco, a Mexican immigrant and caregiver veteran of 30 years, provided dignified and personalized care for seniors like Ms. Garcia, helping her bathe, watch her diet, do light exercise, and play Lotería, a popular board game that spans generations of Latino households.
“In between, Carrasco did several loads of laundry,” Arizona Republic continued. “Carrasco logged notes in a binder to keep track of the food Garcia ate and the activities she did. Carrasco also texted updates to Garcia’s son throughout the afternoon.” Without Carrasco’s watchful eye, Ms. Garcia’s son, Our Lady of Joy Roman Catholic Church liturgical music director Gabe Martinez, worried his mom would be forced to spend hours alone.
Not only could this be life-threatening for seniors, kids, and others requiring care, it denies these individuals companionship, emotional support, and mental stimulation. It’s also important peace of mind for their loved ones. “It’s a great relief because I don’t have to worry about my mom, about whether she’s had something to eat,” Mr. Martinez told the Arizona Republic.
In addition to providing dedicated care and support to beloved family members like Ms. Garcia, immigrants also help fill critical labor shortages, which in turn boosts the economy for all. “There is already a shortage of workers such as Carrasco who care for aging adults in the U.S.,” the Arizona Republic reported. “The shortage is expected to worsen in the coming years, especially in Arizona, where the population is growing fast, and the population of older adults is growing even faster.”
Of course, those shortages can’t be filled if we aren’t giving immigrant caregivers the chance to stabilize themselves here in the U.S. and not have to worry if simply driving or taking public transportation to work could result in separation from their families and clients. During these highly stressful times, these essential workers also need tools to help manage their own self-care so they can continue to do their important work, experts add.
“So, the first rule for caregiving is ‘take care of yourself,’ according to the Family Caregiver Alliance,” Helen Dennis, an expert on aging, wrote at the Los Angeles Daily News last year. “And that includes managing stress. Warning signs might be poor sleep, irritability and forgetfulness. Consider identifying sources of stress that you can and cannot change and then take some action. Examples are walking, meditation, a yoga class or whatever works for you.”
If you know a caregiver, there are several simple yet meaningful ways you can help support them, such as offering to bring over a home-cooked meal, Dennis continues. During a time when even just stepping outside can feel frightening, offering to give a caregiver a ride to work can make a world of difference. Even just being a friendly ear on the phone can go a long way in letting them know that someone cares.
“Despite these systemic challenges, immigrant caregivers continue to persevere,” the National Women’s Law Center continued. “Their dedication goes beyond daily responsibilities—they sustain their communities. In the face of fear and adversity, they draw strength from solidarity and collective action.” Alma, another early educator, said that what keeps her “strong and motivated is knowing that we have several organizations fighting back against these immigration orders. They keep us informed, and they keep us in the fight.”
