Democratic lawmakers, led by Senators Elizabeth Warren and Tammy Duckworth, alongside Representative Mike Quigley, have issued urgent calls for investigations into the impacts of former President Donald Trump’s immigration policies on the childcare sector in the United States. Their letter to the Department of Health and Human Services highlights that immigrants make up approximately 20% of the childcare workforce nationwide, and in certain regions, this figure can soar as high as 70%. They attribute the predicted reduction of the childcare workforce by about 15% to Trump’s immigration initiatives, which include the cancellation of temporary protected status and other immigration pathways, as well as immigration enforcement at childcare centers.

The lawmakers warned that these immigration policy changes are significantly contributing to the current childcare crisis, which is characterized by severe shortages and rising costs. In their correspondence, they note that the climate created by such policies is forcing many childcare providers out of their jobs, thereby aggravating existing shortages. With fewer workers available, parents are experiencing increased difficulty finding affordable and reliable childcare options, leading to a cascading effect on families and the economy at large.

In their letter, the bipartisan group of lawmakers emphasizes the pressing need for policy reforms that not only recognize the vital role that immigrant workers play in the childcare sector but also address the broader implications of the childcare crisis on the workforce and the economy. They are advocating for comprehensive solutions that would stabilize the childcare industry while ensuring the rights and livelihoods of immigrant workers are protected, highlighting the intersection of immigration policy and social infrastructure issues that affect millions of families across the nation.