Immigration Policy: Coalition of Democrats Create Workforce-Focused Framework

A group of 115 House Democrats called the New Democrat Coalition on August 25 released an immigration framework aimed at reclaiming the political center at a time when polls show there is growing public dissatisfaction with the Trump administration's handling of immigration.

According to the Path Forward to Secure Our Borders and Reform Our Immigration System document, the framework aims to restore public trust in the immigration system, with the ultimate goal of enacting meaningful reform legislation that strengthens both national security and the economy. The plan proposes a series of targeted reforms to modernize the immigration system and address urgent workforce needs. Notably, it proposes the creation of a caregiver visa, designed to expand access to affordable child and elder care. It also calls for expanded temporary work visas for occupations facing shortages, including nurses. It also recommends changes to employment-based green cards (used by many LeadingAge members and also known as EB visas) including raising annual caps and eliminating per-country limits.

These and other proposals in the framework would benefit LeadingAge members and align with our own ideas for increasing pathways for foreign-born workers who can stabilize and grow the aging services workforce.

Although a compelling roadmap, its impact in the near term will be limited. That said, LeadingAge supports the effort and will continue to work with all lawmakers interested in immigration reform.