The Politics of Immigration Puts Our Elders at Risk

*Here’s an immigration question that I haven’t heard asked before: “Who, then, will care for us as we grow old and frail? ” VL

By Jacqueline Angel, University of Texas at Austin

Most Americans are aware of the heated political debate about the influx of unaccompanied migrant children caught at the southwest border. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has called this an “urgent humanitarian situation.” But, there is another pressing crisis related to immigration policy: the undermining of the nation’s elder-care systems.

It’s surprising that the issue has fallen under the radar. Our nation is dependent on U.S.-born Latinos and immigrants from Latin America to sustain a robust economy. Although Latino workers contribute millions in federal income, property, sales and excise taxes that support American retirees, they have remained outside of the economic and social mainstream.

This fact has serious implications for both the young and the old, especially as the Latino population ages rapidly along with the rest of the population. Nationwide, and particularly in Texas, a convergence of increasing numbers of culturally distinct immigrant elderly people and shrinking numbers of working-age people is influencing who will care for older adults in years to come.

Click HERE to read the full story.

[Photo by issa/Flickr]

 

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