I was reading through some industry news this week and came across something that I couldn’t just scroll past. A new survey from the Associated General Contractors of America found that 28% of construction firms have already experienced workforce disruptions tied to ICE activity in just the past six months. One in four firms. Let that sink in.
And then I read something that really hit me. A contractor in Dallas described it like this: “When we lose productivity is when people hear about ICE raids and things like that, and they don’t show up to work.” That’s not a statistic. That’s someone describing what’s happening on a real jobsite, with real people on his crew.
What got me is that this isn’t just about undocumented workers. Contractors are reporting that documented workers, legal residents, and even citizens who live in immigrant communities are staying home out of fear. Some hiring sites that used to have 100 or more workers showing up are now seeing just a few dozen after nearby raids. The fear alone is doing the damage.
The economic hit is real too. Down in South Texas, construction loans are reportedly down about 30% over the past year, and some businesses in the supply chain are filing for bankruptcy.
And then I came across a brand new study out of the University of Colorado that flipped the usual narrative on its head. Heightened ICE enforcement isn’t creating more jobs for U.S.-born workers, it’s actually reducing employment opportunities for them too, especially in construction. There’s no evidence that employers are raising wages to attract American-born workers. The data just shows a reduction in overall demand. Less work for everybody.
I think about our community when I read stuff like this. Immigrants make up 34% of all construction workers nationally, and in trades like drywall, roofing, and plastering that number climbs past 60%. We built this industry. We show up every day. And right now, a lot of our people are scared to.
That’s why I wanted to share this. Not to cause panic, but because staying informed is how we look out for each other. If you’re a contractor, the advice going around right now is to get your I-9 documentation in order, make sure your supervisors know they can ask for a judicial warrant before granting site access, and start building some labor flexibility into your contracts.
And if you’re a worker, just know you’re not in this alone. That’s what NHCA is here for.
¿Leíste algo parecido esta semana? ¿Cómo lo está viviendo tu equipo? Cuéntanos, estamos aquí para escuchar y apoyar. (Read something similar this week? How is your crew experiencing this? Tell us, we’re here to listen and support.)
Read the full article here: https://www.taxcreditadvisor.com/articles/2026-us-construction-cost-outlook-q2-update/