Last week, I was interviewed and had the opportunity to discuss how the current aggressive immigration enforcement practices are creating deep disruptions in major cities across this country — especially for the construction industry. What’s becoming clear to anyone that will stop shouting, is that these enforcement actions not only destabilize communities and families but also undercut critical sectors that depend heavily on immigrant labor. 

The construction industry is grappling with a mounting labor shortage, escalating costs, and fragile project timelines. Immigrant workers play an outsized role in filling trades and specialized roles where the domestic pipeline falls short. When enforcement intensifies — through raids, detentions, and deportations — it generates fear that drives workers off the job, stalls recruitment, and weakens retention. Projects suffer delays, budgets swell, and the ripple effects extend to housing affordability, public infrastructure, and local economies. 

These enforcement measures also sow long-term damage: young people considering construction as a career may instead avoid an industry seen as unstable or hostile, and contractors face greater risk in forecasting labor availability and costs. In sum, aggressive enforcement distracts from growth and undermines the foundation of what we build — literally and figuratively. 

Not Without Precedent — But Historically Contextualized 

It’s important to note that waves of harsh immigration enforcement are not new in American history. In moments of national stress — such as during wars or economic collapse — crackdowns have often followed. But what sets today apart is that these enforcement surges are happening without the trigger of a foreign war or a failing economy. 

For example: 

  • During World War II, Japanese Americans were forcibly removed and imprisoned under national security pretexts. 
  • During economic crises like the Great Depression or the 2008 recession, immigration enforcement and restrictionist sentiment surged as economic anxiety peaked. 

Those were moments when the country was already under strain. Today, by contrast, the economy is relatively stable, and sectors like construction are in high demand. Implementing and enforcing draconian measures in times of growth undermines not only fairness and justice, but also economic logic. 

Public Support Is Pivoting — The Data Speaks 

Contrary to the notion that enforcement-only approaches enjoy widespread public backing, recent polling shows robust, growing support for balanced immigration reform and pathways to citizenship — even among traditionally conservative voters: 

A 2025 Gallup poll found that 79% of Americans now believe immigration is a “good thing”, the highest level ever recorded. Among Republicans, views are shifting too: 64% of Republicans in the same poll said immigration was beneficial — up from 39%.  previously. These trends reflect a public that is weary of stark polarization and eager for practical, forward-looking solutions. 

What This Means for NHCA & the Construction Industry 

At NHCA, our mission is to empower Hispanic-owned construction businesses and create opportunities that strengthen the ENTIRE industry. To fulfill that mission, we must advocate for policies that align with both the economic realities of our country and the changing tides of public sentiment. We need reforms that recognize immigrant labor as a strength, not a weakness, and that integrate fair pathways for legalization rather than purely punitive enforcement. 

We must lean into this moment when public support is high and show that smart policy — combining enforcement where needed with recognition, legal pathways, and economic inclusion — is not only ethical but also essential for growth. We must meet this moment with balance, justice, and vision, so that we can lay a foundation for a stronger industry .