The percentage of the U.S. population aged 65 and over is rapidly expanding. At the same time, the nation’s long-term care sector is experiencing significant shortages. These shortages are placing a caregiving burden on many families, increasing service prices, and reducing the quality of care. 

The ongoing crisis in elder care has led policymakers and advocacy groups to look to immigration as a solution. Immigrants already play a vital role in the long-term care industry, making up about a quarter of its workers and an even higher proportion of nursing home housekeeping and maintenance staff.   

Ben Harris and Liam Marshall argue that immigrants can be part of the solution to the caregiving shortage by simultaneously making long-term care more accessible, effective, and affordable for older Americans. 

More on immigration

A threat to U.S. leadership on AI. As the United States and China vie for global leadership in AI, America holds a key advantage: its attractiveness to Chinese talent. Yet, this appeal is under threat by security policies that alienate Chinese scientists and immigration policies that restrict the flow of talent, says Yingyi Ma.  

Immigration and the pace of employment. Recent census projections make it clear that the growth of the U.S. population in coming decades will hinge critically on the level of immigration. Wendy Edelberg and Tara Watson share insights from new immigration estimates.

The U.S. southern border crisis. The rise in immigration attempts at America’s southern border is one of the most prominent issues in the 2024 election. Elaine Kamarck explains why the situation is so difficult to resolve and why it’s not going away any time soon.

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