Why Unity Matters More Than Ever
A quiet construction site in Mobile, Alabama, has become the latest symbol of a growing national crisis. What was once a vibrant, on-time, and on-budget recreation center project is now weeks behind schedule—its silence a direct result of fear spreading across job sites due to stepped-up ICE raids. And while this site is 230 miles away from the Tallahassee raid that sparked the exodus, its impact is felt just the same.
At NHCA, we’re not surprised. We’re frustrated.
This story, reported by Reuters, echoes what we’ve been hearing from members across the country: skilled Hispanic workers—many of whom are the backbone of the construction industry—are staying home out of fear. These are the very workers rebuilding homes after hurricanes, wiring our schools, pouring concrete for our roads. When they’re targeted, it’s not just individuals who suffer—it’s our entire economy.
Let’s be clear: immigration enforcement that causes entire job sites to shut down doesn’t make communities safer. It makes them less stable, less productive, and far more vulnerable to labor shortages, project delays, and skyrocketing costs. And it deepens the disconnect between policy and the reality on the ground.
What’s happening now is not just a political issue—it’s a workforce issue. A supply chain issue. A housing affordability issue. And above all, it’s a human issue.
We understand the stakes better than anyone because our members live them every day. Over 1.4 million undocumented workers are in construction, the highest of any industry. And even those with legal status are being pushed into hiding simply because they “look the part.”
So what do we do?
We build anyway. We grow anyway. We lead anyway.
At NHCA, we remain committed to:
Growing Hispanic representation at every level—from the field to the front office.
Training and certifying workers to meet industry demand, regardless of background.
Advocating for sensible immigration reform that recognizes the essential role of immigrant labor.
Strengthening our community so that no worker feels alone when the fear sets in.
We know that construction doesn’t just happen—it’s made possible by people who wake up every day ready to build, rain or shine, document or not. They deserve more than fear. They deserve a future.
To our community: stay strong.
To our industry: stand with us.
To our leaders: do better.
Because when the job site goes quiet, we all lose.
Find the article quoted here.