Increased immigration operations from Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE) create shortages of undocumented employees in the construction industry. Homebuilders specifically face a shortage of available workers. This reflects the proportion of undocumented workers in certain industries, and how immigration enforcement impacts them.
Background
The government initially adopted stricter enforcement and conducted immigration raids on agricultural facilities, construction sites, and other places frequented by undocumented workers over the course of the past year. These raids, while small, had a massive effect on the labor pool. ICE even began targeting undocumented workers formerly at Ground Zero.
Why This Matters
The labor strain comes on top of other challenges for the industry: rising mortgage rates, higher prices for key inputs driven by tariffs and the Iran war, and growing competition for resources with builders of data centers. Undocumented workers make up 57% of drywall workers and 50% of roofers, according to Axios. They made 24% of the whole construction industry. This highlights the roll undocumented individuals play in certain economic sectors.
As always, ILBSG actively monitors ongoing U.S. immigration news. If you have questions about any U.S. immigration related issue, contact us. Working with an experienced attorney ensures you get the right advice based on the most recent laws. In an ever-evolving immigration policy landscape, it’s particularly critical you get the right advice.