Increased immigration enforcement is beginning to affect an unexpected part of the U.S. economy: home construction.
Homebuilders across the country say intensified ICE enforcement is making it harder to find workers, increasing labor costs, delaying construction, and extending the amount of time it takes to complete new homes. According to a recent Axios report, builders in states including Texas, Virginia, Maryland, and Florida have reported significant disruptions connected to immigration enforcement.
The construction industry relies heavily on immigrant workers. Immigrants represented more than 26% of the U.S. construction workforce in 2024, according to Census data analyzed by the National Association of Home Builders. In some occupations, the percentage is much higher: immigrants account for approximately 57% of drywall and ceiling installers and 53% of roofers.
Builders say the impact does not necessarily stop with undocumented workers. The National Association of Home Builders has reported that increased immigration enforcement in some markets is also discouraging legally authorized immigrant workers from reporting to construction sites because of fear surrounding enforcement activity.
This comes at an already difficult time for the housing industry. Builders are dealing with high mortgage rates, rising material and financing costs, and persistent shortages of skilled workers. In September 2026, builder confidence dropped to its lowest level in a year, with the National Association of Home Builders specifically identifying labor shortages as one of the pressures affecting the industry.
The Trump administration maintains that ICE is targeting people who are unlawfully present in the United States, not immigrants who have legal status or authorization to work. The administration has also said that American workers can fill available jobs and has created an Office of Immigration Policy within the Department of Labor to assist employers navigating immigration-related workforce issues.
For immigrant workers, however, the increased enforcement environment makes it especially important to understand your immigration status, your work authorization, and your rights if approached by immigration officers.
If you are concerned about your immigration status, work authorization, an ICE encounter, or possible deportation, Shepelsky Law Group can review your situation and explain your legal options.
📞 Contact Shepelsky Law Group at Tel: (718)769-6352 to schedule an immigration consultation or book your consultation directly online at www.shepelskylaw.com.