Immigration Policy Changes Hit Nursing Homes Hard, Destabilizing Workforce: 'We're Not Prepared to Replace Them'

New immigration enforcement policies in spring 2026 are creating severe workforce instability across nursing homes and long-term care facilities nationwide. Many facilities rely heavily on immigrant nurses, certified nursing assistants, and direct care workers — and administrators report they are unprepared to replace departing staff. Workforce experts and facility leaders warn the disruptions raise serious concerns about care quality and patient safety for some of the nation's most vulnerable elderly residents. The crisis compounds existing nursing workforce challenges including record shortages, burnout from the pandemic years, and proposed federal funding cuts to HRSA Title VIII nursing workforce programs.