Immigration enforcement impacts US construction labor costs

Increased immigration arrests under the Trump administration are affecting the United States construction industry, which relies heavily on undocumented labor. Employers have attributed rising housing costs to these enforcement actions and the resulting labor shortages.

In regions such as Jacksonville, Florida, some builders report that wages for skilled roles, such as framers, have doubled from $20 to $40 per hour due to the scarcity of available workers. While the labor shortage contributes to higher construction expenses, proponents of stricter enforcement argue that an undocumented workforce suppresses wages and benefits for legal workers.