Richmond, Virginia – March 31, 2026 –McCandlish Holton, P.C. is proud to share that attorney Jennifer Minear served as a panelist in the recent webinar, “Immigration and the Care Workforce,” hosted by Retirement Living SourceBook.
A leader in employment-based immigration with deep experience in the healthcare sector, Minear joined fellow industry voices to explore one of the most pressing challenges facing senior living and long-term care today: workforce shortages and the critical role immigration policy plays in addressing them.
During the webinar, Minear and her co-panelists underscored that the U.S. care system—spanning elder care, disability services, and long-term care—is under significant strain due to demographic shifts and workforce shortages. As demand for care continues to rise with an aging population, providers across the country are confronting a growing labor gap, with the current domestic workforce unable to meet increasing needs.
A central theme of the discussion was the indispensable role immigrants already play in sustaining the care workforce. Industry experts increasingly point to immigration as a key part of the solution—helping to build and sustain the workforce needed to deliver high-quality care. Panelists highlighted that immigrants make up a substantial and growing share of direct care workers, including in home care settings, where demand is rising most rapidly.
Minear contributed her deep experience in employment-based immigration, emphasizing the legal and policy barriers that currently limit the ability of employers to recruit and retain foreign-born caregivers. The panel explored potential solutions, including modernizing visa pathways, creating targeted programs for essential care workers, and implementing reforms that balance workforce needs with worker protections.
The discussion also addressed the economic and societal consequences of inaction. Without meaningful immigration reform, panelists warned of increased care costs, reduced access to services, and greater burdens on families—particularly as millions of Americans age into higher-need years.
Importantly, the panel framed immigration not as a standalone issue, but as a key component of a broader workforce strategy that includes improving wages, working conditions, and career pathways within the care sector. As highlighted during the webinar, solving the care workforce crisis will require coordinated efforts across policy, industry, and legal frameworks.
Why This Matters
This conversation represents “need-to-know” information for healthcare operators, senior living providers, policymakers, and employers alike. Understanding how immigration pathways, regulatory barriers, and evolving policy proposals impact workforce availability is essential for planning, compliance, and long-term success.
McCandlish Holton appreciates Jennifer sharing her insight on this important topic and continuing to help clients navigate the intersection of immigration law and workforce strategy .
Watch the full webinar: https://www.retirementlivingsourcebook.com/videos/immigration-and-the-care-workforce
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