U.S. employers are exploiting elderly women immigrants from India. Although Indians are the third-largest immigrant group residing in the United States as of June 2010, the American Dream is not in sight for these women. With limited language skills and unclear immigration statuses, these elderly women resort to supplying babysitting and housekeeping services for people in Northern California. These jobs have proven to be unstable, with wages below California’s minimum wage and unspecified work hours. At UCLA, advocates for Californian seniors assert that an income of about $20,000 is necessary for Californian seniors’ basic needs. In 2010, about 1 million California seniors live at or under the federal poverty level of $10,830, which is half the perceived necessary amount.

Sources:
http://newamericamedia.org/2010/09/granny-nanis-from-india-exploited-by-us-employers.php

http://newamericamedia.org/2010/06/indians-now-third-largest-immigrant-group-in-us.php

By Deanna Tran